1 can
/kən/ /ˈkæn/
verb
past tense
could
/kəd/ /ˈkʊd/
present tense for both singular and plural
can
negative
cannot
/ˈkænɑt/ /kəˈnɑːt/ Brit /ˈkænət/
or
can't
/ˈkænt/ Brit /ˈkɑːnt/
1 can
/kən/ /ˈkæn/
verb
past tense
could
/kəd/ /ˈkʊd/
present tense for both singular and plural
can
negative
cannot
/ˈkænɑt/ /kəˈnɑːt/ Brit /ˈkænət/
or
can't
/ˈkænt/ Brit /ˈkɑːnt/
Britannica Dictionary definition of CAN
[modal verb]
1
:
to be able to (do something)
-
I don't need any help. I can do it myself.
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I can't decide what to do.
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All we can do [=the only thing we can do] now is wait.
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:
to know how to (do something)
-
She can read, can't she?
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I can whistle.
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:
to have the power or skill to (do something)
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A weight lifter can lift a very heavy weight.
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She can play the piano.
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Only Congress can do that.
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:
to be designed to (do something)
-
a car that can hold five people [=a car that has enough room for five people]
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How fast can [=does, will] the car go?
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— sometimes used without a following verb
-
I visit her whenever I can.
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I don't know if I'll be able to fix the problem, but I'll do what I can.
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Please help us if you can.
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2
— used to describe what someone sees, feels, thinks, etc.
-
“Can you see him yet?” “Yes, I can see him clearly.”
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I can barely hear you.
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Can [=do] you remember/understand how to do it?
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3
a
— used to say that something is or is not possible
-
Do you think he can still be alive? [=do you think it is possible that he is still alive?]
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I don't think he can still be alive. [=I think he must be dead]
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These problems can be dealt with more easily at the local level.
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You can't always get what you want in life.
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At this time of year many birds can be found on the island. [=there are many birds on the island at this time of year]
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If you don't tell me what the problem is, I can't help you.
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You can't be very smart [=you aren't very smart] if you believe that!
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He was supposed to be here an hour ago. Where can he (possibly) be? [=where is he?]
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— sometimes used in the emphatic phrase as…as can be
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I want a cake as big as can be! [=I want the biggest cake possible]
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They seemed as happy as can be [=they seemed extremely happy] when I last saw them.
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b
— used in speech to express surprise or disbelief
-
You must be joking! You can't/cannot (possibly) be serious!
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He can't really have meant that. [=I don't believe that he meant that]
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You can't (possibly) believe that!
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The price is $50? That can't be right. [=that must be wrong]
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4
a
:
to have permission to (do something)
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You can do it tomorrow if you like.
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“Can I leave now?” “No, you can't.”
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You can't leave until you finish washing the dishes.
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— compare may 4
b
— used in speech to make a request or suggestion
-
Can [=could] I have another cookie?
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Can [=could] you open the window a little more, please?
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You can sit here if you like.
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If you're not sure what to do, you can always ask for help.
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We can leave early if you're feeling tired.
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— compare may 3
5
a
— used to say what should or should not be done
-
You can't leave now! The party is just getting started!
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Why can't you be more polite? [=you should be more polite; why aren't you more polite?]
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b
— used in angry speech to tell someone to do something
-
If you don't like it here, you can just leave!
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6
a
— used to describe the way a person sometimes behaves
-
She can be very rude at times. [=she is sometimes very rude]
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b
— used to describe something that sometimes or often happens
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In this part of the country the weather can change quickly. [=the weather often changes quickly]
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Usage
Could is used as the past tense of can to describe an ability that someone had in the past or to say that something was possible in the past.
-
I could run fast when I was young, but I can't run fast now.
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It used to be that you could drive for miles here without seeing another person, but now there are houses and people everywhere.
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To describe a specific occurrence in the past, use was/were able to instead of could.
-
By working long hours, we were able to finish the project on time.
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In the future tense, will be able to is used.
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If you keep practicing, you'll be able to play the piano someday.
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She believes that someday people will be able to vote at home on their computers.
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Can can be used to suggest something that might happen in the future.
-
If we save enough money, we can go to Hawaii for our vacation next year.
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no can do
informal + humorous
— used in speech to say that you cannot do something that you have been asked or told to do
-
“Can you give me a ride to work tomorrow?” “Sorry—no can do. My car is in the shop.”
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— compare 3can
2 can
/ˈkæn/
noun
plural
cans
2 can
/ˈkæn/
noun
plural
cans
Britannica Dictionary definition of CAN
[count]
1
a
:
a closed metal container that is usually shaped like a cylinder and that holds food or drink
-
Open a can [=(Brit) tin] of beans.
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a can of tomatoes
-
a soda/beer can
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b
:
the food or drink that is in a can
-
He ate the whole can of beans.
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2
a
:
a metal or plastic container that has a removable top and that is used for holding liquid, trash, etc.
-
a can of oil = an oil can
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a garbage can
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a trash can
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b
:
spray can
-
a can of deodorant
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can of worms
:
a complicated situation in which doing something to correct a problem leads to many more problems
-
We thought the project would be simple, but it turned out to be a real can of worms.
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Our boss is reluctant to change the policy now because she doesn't want to open a can of worms.
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carry the can
British, informal
:
to accept blame or responsibility for something that you did not cause
-
He made the error, but she was left to carry the can.
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Taxpayers will carry the can for the renovations.
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in the can
of a film, recording, etc.
:
completed and ready to be released
-
a movie that is in the can
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the can
US, informal
1
:
the part of the body that you sit on
:
buttocks
-
If you ask me, what he needs is a good kick in the can.
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2
a
:
a room with a toilet
:
bathroom
-
He locked himself in the can and wouldn't come out.
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b
:
toilet
-
sitting on the can
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3
:
a prison or jail
-
The cops threw him in the can.
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— canful
/ˈkænˌfʊl/
noun,
plural
canfuls
-
a canful of beans
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3 can
/ˈkæn/
verb
cans;
canned;
canning
3 can
/ˈkæn/
verb
cans;
canned;
canning
Britannica Dictionary definition of CAN
[+ object]
1
chiefly US
:
to preserve food by putting it in a metal or glass container
-
a factory where meats are canned [=(Brit) tinned]
-
canning tomatoes
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2
US, informal
:
to dismiss (someone) from a job
-
He got canned [=fired, sacked] for being late to work.
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3
US, informal
:
to stop or end (something)
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The boss angrily told him to can the jokes. [=to stop making jokes]
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Just can it! [=stop talking; shut up]
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— see also canned
— canner
noun,
plural
canners
[count]
— canning
noun
[noncount]
-
The tomatoes are fine for canning.
-
a canning jar
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