can

¹ American  

[kan, kuhn] / kæn, kən /

auxiliary verb

present singular 1st person

can,

2nd

can,

2nd

canst,

3rd

can,

present plural

can,

past singular 1st person

could,

2nd

could,

2nd

couldst,

3rd

could,

past plural

could

1. to be able to; have the ability, power, or skill to.

   She can solve the problem easily, I'm sure.

2. to know how to.

   He can play chess, although he's not particularly good at it.

3. to have the power or means to.

   A dictator can impose his will on the people.

4. to have the right or qualifications to.

   He can change whatever he wishes in the script.

5. may; have permission to.

   Can I speak to you for a moment?

6. to have the possibility.

   A coin can land on either side.

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verb (used with or without object)

present singular 1st person

can,

2nd

can,

2nd

canst,

3rd

can,

present plural

can,

past singular 1st person

could,

2nd

could,

2nd

couldst,

3rd

could,

past plural

could,

imperative

can,

infinitive

can,

past participle

could,

present participle

cunning

1. Obsolete. to know.

can ² American  

[kan] / kæn /

noun

1. a sealed container for food, beverages, etc., as of aluminum, sheet iron coated with tin, or other metal.

   a can of soup.

2. a receptacle for garbage, ashes, etc..

   a trash can.

3. a bucket, pail, or other container for holding or carrying liquids.

   water can.

4. a drinking cup; tankard.

5. a metal or plastic container for holding film on cores or reels.

6. Slang: Usually Vulgar. toilet; bathroom.

7. Slang. jail.

   He's been in the can for a week.

8. Slang: Sometimes Vulgar. buttocks.

9. Slang. cans, a set of headphones designed to cover the ears.

10. Military Slang.

    1. a depth charge.

    2. a destroyer.

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verb (used with object)

canned, canning

1. to preserve by sealing in a can, jar, etc.

2. Slang. to dismiss; fire.

3. Slang. to throw (something) away.

4. Slang. to put a stop to.

   Can that noise!

5. to record, as on film or tape.

idioms

1. carry the can, to take the responsibility.

2. in the can, recorded on film; completed.

   The movie is in the can and ready for release.

can. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. canceled.

2. canon.

3. canto.

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Can. ⁴ American  

abbreviation

1. Canada.

2. Canadian.

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can ¹ British  

/ kæn /

noun

1. a container, esp for liquids, usually of thin sheet metal

   a petrol can

   beer can

2. another name (esp US) for tin

3. Also called: canful.  the contents of a can or the amount a can will hold

4. a slang word for prison

5. a slang word for toilet or buttocks See toilet

6. navy a slang word for destroyer

7. slang navy a depth charge

8. a shallow cylindrical metal container of varying size used for storing and handling film

9. informal a complicated problem

10. See carry

11. 1. (of a film, piece of music, etc) having been recorded, processed, edited, etc

    2. informal arranged or agreed

       the contract is almost in the can

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verb

1. to put (food, etc) into a can or cans; preserve in a can

2. slang (tr) to dismiss from a job

3. informal (tr) to stop (doing something annoying or making an annoying noise) (esp in the phrase can it! )

4. informal (tr) to reject or discard

can ² British  

/ kæn, kən /

verb

1. used as an auxiliary to indicate ability, skill, or fitness to perform a task

   I can run a mile in under four minutes

2. used as an auxiliary to indicate permission or the right to something

   can I have a drink?

3. used as an auxiliary to indicate knowledge of how to do something

   he can speak three languages fluently

4. used as an auxiliary to indicate the possibility, opportunity, or likelihood

   my trainer says I can win the race if I really work hard

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Can. ³ British  

abbreviation

1. Canada

2. Canadian

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can More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing can

• as best one can
• before you can say Jack Robinson
• bite off more than one can chew
• can't
• carry the can
• catch as catch can
• game that two can play
• get the ax (can)
• in the can
• more than one can shake a stick at
• no can do
• you can bet your ass
• you can lead a horse to water
• you can say that again
• you never can tell

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Usage

Can but and cannot but are formal and now somewhat old-fashioned expressions suggesting that there is no possible alternative to doing something. Can but is equivalent to can only: We can but do our best. Cannot but is the equivalent of cannot help but: We cannot but protest against these injustices. See also help.

Commonly Confused

Can1 and may1 are frequently but not always interchangeable in senses indicating possibility: A power failure can (or may ) occur at any time. Despite the insistence by some, that can means only “to be able” and may means “to be permitted,” both are regularly used in seeking or granting permission: Can (or May ) I borrow your glue gun? You can (or may ) use it tomorrow. Sentences using can occur chiefly in spoken English. May in this sense occurs more frequently in formal contexts: May I address the court, Your Honor? In negative constructions, can't or cannot is more common than may not : You can't have it today. I need it myself. The contraction mayn't is rare.

Etymology

Origin of can¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English, present indicative singular 1st, 3rd person of cunnan “to know, know how”; cognate with German, Old Norse, Gothic kann; ken, know ¹

Origin of can²

First recorded before 1000; Middle English canne, can(e), Old English canne, cognate with German Kanne, Old Norse kanna, all perhaps from West Germanic; compare Late Latin canna “small vessel”

Example Sentences

Ramírez left his town in Michoacán state for the United States when he was 21, hoping to save money so he could come back home and build a house of his own.

From Los Angeles Times

For many, the universe also sparks a quiet, personal question: Is that sort of romance real — and could it exist in my own life too?

From Los Angeles Times

In today’s major leagues, a starting pitcher generally is selected, trained and deployed to throw as hard as he can for as long as he can.

From Los Angeles Times

Millogo used to play soccer, so there’s little doubt Soong could teach him to play golf — if he could find clubs long enough for him.

From Los Angeles Times

He’s a 6-4 left-hander who can score from a variety of spots on the court.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bottle
• bucket
• canister
• jar
• package