cant

[ kant ]

/ kænt /

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noun

insincere, especially conventional expressions of enthusiasm for high ideals, goodness, or piety.

the private language of the underworld.

the phraseology peculiar to a particular class, party, profession, etc.: the cant of the fashion industry.

whining or singsong speech, especially of beggars.

verb (used without object)

to talk hypocritically.

to speak in the whining or singsong tone of a beggar; beg.

OTHER WORDS FOR cant

1 hypocrisy, sham, pretense, humbug.

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QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of cant

First recorded in 1495–1505; from Latin base cant- in cantus “song,” canticus “singsong,” etc., whence Old English cantere “singer,” cantic “song”; see chant

OTHER WORDS FROM cant

cant·ing·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH cant

1. cant , can't2. cant , jargon, slang

Other definitions for cant (2 of 5)

cant²

[ kant ]

/ kænt /

noun

a salient angle.

a sudden movement that tilts or overturns a thing.

a slanting or tilted position.

an oblique line or surface, as one formed by cutting off the corner of a square of cube.

an oblique or slanting face of anything.

Civil Engineering. bank¹ (def. 6).

a sudden pitch or toss.

Also called flitch. a partly trimmed log.

adjective

oblique or slanting.

verb (used with object)

to bevel; form an oblique surface upon.

to put in an oblique position; tilt; tip.

to throw with a sudden jerk.

verb (used without object)

to take or have an inclined position; tilt; tip.

Origin of cant

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English: “side, part, border,” from Anglo-French cant, Old French chant, from an unrecorded Romance cantu(m) with the related senses “rim, border” and “angle corner,” probably from Celtic; compare Latin cant(h)us “tire, iron tire” (from Celtic kantos ), Welsh cant “periphery, rim, felloe” cf. canteen, cantle, canton

OTHER WORDS FROM cant

cantic, adjective

Other definitions for cant (3 of 5)

cant³

[ kahnt ]

/ kɑnt /

adjective Scot. and North England.

hearty; merry.

Origin of cant

First recorded in 1325–1375; Middle English cant, kant, kaunt “bold, brave, fierce,” from Low German kant “merry, bold”

Other definitions for cant (4 of 5)

can't

[ kant, kahnt ]

/ kænt, kɑnt /

contraction of cannot.

usage note for can't

See contraction.

usage note for can't

See cannot.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH can't

cant, can't

Other definitions for cant (5 of 5)

Cant.

abbreviation

Canterbury.

Cantonese.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use cant in a sentence

I mean, even Ron Fournier of National Journal, usually devoted to the pox-on-both-houses, why-can't-Obama-lead?
Numbers That Speak for Themselves|Michael Tomasky|October 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
"C-c-can't make 'em hang," lamented Montgomery, after a few moments' unsuccessful effort.
The Brass Bound Box|Evelyn Raymond
But I c-can't leave that poor motherless little fellow cry his heart out in that big, dark, lonely kitchen.
The Sin of Monsieur Pettipon|Richard Connell
I c-c-can't l-l-leave my h-h-house to m-m-muddle myself with a d-d-devilish b-b-business I kn-know n-n-nothing about.
Eugenie Grandet|Honore de Balzac

He can't, he c-can't be s-so cruel—and you are cruel to me—you are, you are!'
Desperate Remedies|Thomas Hardy
Our-folks will-forgive- you-for-not-being-up-to-white-folks,-but-a-man-that-can't-put-up-a-bold- front has-no-forgiveness.
Overshadowed|Sutton E. Griggs

British Dictionary definitions for cant (1 of 5)

cant¹

/ (kænt) /

noun

insincere talk, esp concerning religion or morals; pious platitudes

stock phrases that have become meaningless through repetition

specialized vocabulary of a particular group, such as thieves, journalists, or lawyers; jargon

singsong whining speech, as used by beggars

verb

(intr) to speak in or use cant

Derived forms of cant

canter, nouncantingly, adverb

Word Origin for cant

C16: probably via Norman French canter to sing, from Latin cantāre; used disparagingly, from the 12th century, of chanting in religious services

British Dictionary definitions for cant (2 of 5)

cant²

/ (kænt) /

noun

inclination from a vertical or horizontal plane; slope; slant

a sudden movement that tilts or turns something

the angle or tilt thus caused

a corner or outer angle, esp of a building

an oblique or slanting surface, edge, or line

verb (tr)

to tip, tilt, or overturn, esp with a sudden jerk

to set in an oblique position

another word for bevel (def. 1)

adjective

oblique; slanting

having flat surfaces and without curves

Derived forms of cant

cantic, adjective

Word Origin for cant

C14 (in the sense: edge, corner): perhaps from Latin canthus iron hoop round a wheel, of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for cant (3 of 5)

cant³

/ (kɑːnt) /

adjective

Scot and Northern English dialect lusty; merry; hearty

Word Origin for cant

C14: related to Low German kant bold, merry

British Dictionary definitions for cant (4 of 5)

can't

/ (kɑːnt) /

contraction of

cannot

British Dictionary definitions for cant (5 of 5)

Cant.

abbreviation for

Canterbury

Bible Canticles

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with cant

can't

In addition to the idioms beginning with can't

can't abide
can't but
can't complain
can't do anything with
can't fight City Hall
can't help
can't hit the broad side of a barn
can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear
can't make head or tail of
can't punch one's way out of a paper bag
can't see beyond the end of one's nose.
can't seem to
can't see the forest for the trees
can't stand
can't wait

also see:

beggars can't be choosers
if you can't beat them, join them
you can't take it with you
you can't win them all

Also see undercan.

cant

OTHER WORDS FOR cant

Origin of cant

OTHER WORDS FROM cant

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH cant

Other definitions for cant (2 of 5)

Origin of cant

OTHER WORDS FROM cant

Other definitions for cant (3 of 5)

Origin of cant

Other definitions for cant (4 of 5)

usage note for can't

usage note for can't

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH can't

Other definitions for cant (5 of 5)

Words related to cant

How to use cant in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for cant (1 of 5)

Derived forms of cant

Word Origin for cant

British Dictionary definitions for cant (2 of 5)

Derived forms of cant

Word Origin for cant

British Dictionary definitions for cant (3 of 5)

Word Origin for cant

British Dictionary definitions for cant (4 of 5)

British Dictionary definitions for cant (5 of 5)

Other Idioms and Phrases with cant