can
15 ENTRIES FOUND:
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/
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)
:
to know how to (do something)
:
to have the power or skill to (do something)
:
to be designed to (do something)
— sometimes used without a following verb
-
I don't need any help. I can do it myself.
-
I can't decide what to do.
-
All we can do [=the only thing we can do] now is wait.
-
She can read, can't she?
-
I can whistle.
-
A weight lifter can lift a very heavy weight.
-
She can play the piano.
-
Only Congress can do that.
-
a car that can hold five people [=a car that has enough room for five people]
-
How fast can [=does, will] the car go?
-
I visit her whenever I can.
-
I don't know if I'll be able to fix the problem, but I'll do what I can.
-
Please help us if you can.
2
— used to describe what someone sees, feels, thinks, etc.
-
“Can you see him yet?” “Yes, I can see him clearly.”
-
I can barely hear you.
-
Can [=do] you remember/understand how to do it?
3
a
— used to say that something is or is not possible
— sometimes used in the emphatic phrase as…as can be
-
Do you think he can still be alive? [=do you think it is possible that he is still alive?]
-
I don't think he can still be alive. [=I think he must be dead]
-
These problems can be dealt with more easily at the local level.
-
You can't always get what you want in life.
-
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]
-
If you don't tell me what the problem is, I can't help you.
-
You can't be very smart [=you aren't very smart] if you believe that!
-
He was supposed to be here an hour ago. Where can he (possibly) be? [=where is he?]
-
I want a cake as big as can be! [=I want the biggest cake possible]
-
They seemed as happy as can be [=they seemed extremely happy] when I last saw them.
b
— used in speech to express surprise or disbelief
-
You must be joking! You can't/cannot (possibly) be serious!
-
He can't really have meant that. [=I don't believe that he meant that]
-
You can't (possibly) believe that!
-
The price is $50? That can't be right. [=that must be wrong]
4
a
:
to have permission to (do something)
—
compare may 4
-
You can do it tomorrow if you like.
-
“Can I leave now?” “No, you can't.”
-
You can't leave until you finish washing the dishes.
b
— used in speech to make a request or suggestion
—
compare may 3
-
Can [=could] I have another cookie?
-
Can [=could] you open the window a little more, please?
-
You can sit here if you like.
-
If you're not sure what to do, you can always ask for help.
-
We can leave early if you're feeling tired.
5
a
— used to say what should or should not be done
-
You can't leave now! The party is just getting started!
-
Why can't you be more polite? [=you should be more polite; why aren't you more polite?]
b
— used in angry speech to tell someone to do something
-
If you don't like it here, you can just leave!
6
a
— used to describe the way a person sometimes behaves
-
She can be very rude at times. [=she is sometimes very rude]
b
— used to describe something that sometimes or often happens
-
In this part of the country the weather can change quickly. [=the weather often changes quickly]
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.
To describe a specific occurrence in the past, use was/were able to instead of could.
In the future tense, will be able to is used.
Can can be used to suggest something that might happen in the future.
-
I could run fast when I was young, but I can't run fast now.
-
It used to be that you could drive for miles here without seeing another person, but now there are houses and people everywhere.
-
By working long hours, we were able to finish the project on time.
-
If you keep practicing, you'll be able to play the piano someday.
-
She believes that someday people will be able to vote at home on their computers.
-
If we save enough money, we can go to Hawaii for our vacation next year.
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.”
—
compare 3can
plural
cans
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.
-
a can of tomatoes
-
a soda/beer can
b
:
the food or drink that is in a can
-
He ate the whole can of beans.
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
-
a garbage can
-
a trash can
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.
-
Our boss is reluctant to change the policy now because she doesn't want to open a can of worms.
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.
-
Taxpayers will carry the can for the renovations.
in the can
of a film, recording, etc.
:
completed and ready to be released
-
a movie that is in the can
the can
US, informal
cans;
canned;
canning
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
2
US, informal
:
to dismiss (someone) from a job
-
He got canned [=fired, sacked] for being late to work.
3
US, informal
:
to stop or end (something)
-
The boss angrily told him to can the jokes. [=to stop making jokes]
-
Just can it! [=stop talking; shut up]
—
see also canned
— canner
noun, plural canners [count]— canning
noun [noncount]-
The tomatoes are fine for canning.
-
a canning jar
