canned

American  

[kand] / kænd /

adjective

1. preserved in a can or jar.

   canned peaches.

2. Informal. recorded.

   canned music.

3. Informal. prepared in advance.

   a canned speech.

4. Slang. drunk.

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canned British  

/ kænd /

adjective

1. preserved and stored in airtight cans or tins

   canned meat

2. informal prepared or recorded in advance; artificial; not spontaneous

   canned music

3. a slang word for drunk

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Other Word Forms

• uncanned
  adjective
• well-canned
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of canned

First recorded in 1855–60; can ² + -ed ²

Explanation

Anything canned is stored in a jar or can. It’s usually food, but prerecorded music is also canned. And, if you get fired from a job, you’ve been canned. Don’t cry, though, it’s better than being stuck in a jar. When someone talks about "canned goods," they mean all the food you can buy that comes in a can, like canned green beans and canned pineapple. Home-preserved food is also canned, even if it's in a glass jar. This adjective takes on a derogatory slant when it describes music that's recorded rather than played live, or an answer that sounds prepared rather than real.

Example Sentences

And it will lower tariffs on more products, and give duty-free access to pasta, chocolate, potatoes, canned peaches, eggs and certain poultry products.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

The Margherita pizza calls for a simple sauce—uncooked and made from quality canned tomatoes blended up with a bit of salt.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Someone probably tried to deliver a canned history of the actual Arc de Triomphe to Trump at some point.

From Salon • May 3, 2026

Prosecutors have accused Soofer of faking invoices for fresh meals while clients were left to eat breakfast bars, canned beans and ramen noodles.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

“You mean who might get canned from the show if he keeps messing up?”

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein

Related Words

• bottled