cannot

American  

[kan-ot, ka-not, kuh-] / ˈkæn ɒt, kæˈnɒt, kə- /

verb

1. a form of can not.

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idioms

1. cannot but, have no alternative but to.

   We cannot but choose otherwise.

cannot British  

/ kæˈnɒt, ˈkænɒt /

verb

1. an auxiliary verb expressing incapacity, inability, withholding permission, etc; can not

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cannot More Idioms  

1. see under can't.

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Spelling

Cannot is sometimes also spelled can not. The one-word spelling is by far the more common: Interest rates simply cannot continue at their present level. The contraction can't is most common in speech and informal writing.

Etymology

Origin of cannot

A Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Compare meaning

How does cannot compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• can't vs. cannot

Example Sentences

Vullo, in which the court held that the government cannot use informal tactics, like thinly-veiled threats of selective enforcement or demands for cooperation, to coerce private actors.

From Salon • Jul. 10, 2026

That premium is justified because some large institutional investors cannot easily buy South Korea-listed common shares and are required by their investment mandates to hold only U.S.-listed securities, Kim added.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 10, 2026

“We’re talking about people who cannot advocate for themselves, most of them live in a constant state of confusion but have stability where they are.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 9, 2026

If he cannot, then there will be major doubt over his inclusion against Norway.

From BBC • Jul. 9, 2026

When we land, we get in a cab and I drift off into space, pulled into a black hole where light cannot penetrate.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold