can

1 of 5

verb (1)

kən,

ˈkan

also ˈken;

dialectal ˈkin

past could

kəd,

ˈku̇d

; present singular & plural can

auxiliary verb

: be physically or mentally able to

He can lift 200 pounds.

: know how to

She can read.

—used to indicate possibility

Do you think he can still be alive?Those things can happen.

—sometimes used interchangeably with may

: be inherently able or designed to

everything that money can buy

: be enabled by law, agreement, or custom to

Congress can declare war.

: be permitted by conscience or feeling to

can hardly blame her

: be made possible or probable by circumstances to

He can hardly have meant that.

: be logically or axiologically able to

2 + 2 can also be written 3 + 1.

: have permission to

—used interchangeably with may

You can go now if you like.

transitive verb

archaic : to be able to do, make, or accomplish

obsolete : know, understand

intransitive verb

archaic : to have knowledge or skill

can

2 of 5

noun

ˈkan

plural cans

: a usually cylindrical receptacle:

: a container (as of tinplate) in which products (such as perishable foods) are hermetically sealed for preservation until use

a can of beans

: a usually metal typically cylindrical receptacle usually with an open top, often with a removable cover, and sometimes with a spout or side handles (as for holding liquid or trash)

: a jar for packing or preserving fruit or vegetables

: a vessel for holding liquids

specifically : a drinking vessel

… in his hand did bear a boozing can …

Edmund Spenser

: a recessed lighting fixture

Augment natural light with recessed cans in the ceiling, sconces on side walls, or a table lamp on a shelf …

Jill Connors

informal : buttocks

He needs a kick in the can.

informal

: toilet

sitting on the can

: bathroom sense 1

He locked himself in the can and wouldn't come out.

informal : jail

The cops threw him in the can.

slang : destroyer sense 2

served on a can during the battle

informal : headphone

—usually plural

You don't realize just how noisy it is inside a plane until you put on a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones … . I generally leave the noise-cancelling cans on even when I'm not listening to anything at all—the relative quiet makes a long trip less stressful.

Steven Morgenstern

canful

ˈkan-ˌfu̇l How to pronounce can (audio)

noun

can

3 of 5

verb (2)

ˈkan

canned; canning

transitive verb

: to put in a can : preserve by sealing in airtight cans or jars

can tomatoes

: to hit (a golf shot) into the cup

: to hit (a shot) in basketball

: to discharge from employment

got canned for being late so often

slang : to put a stop or end to

were told to can the chatter

canner noun

can

4 of 5

abbreviation (1)

canceled; cancellation

cannon

canto

Can

5 of 5

abbreviation (2)

variants or Canad

Canada; Canadian

Example Sentences

Noun He ate the whole can of beans. the shelter stores huge cans of water for an emergency

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Kids in her class thought maybe a janitor dropped a trash can or somebody dropped a chair or a desk.

Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2022 She was told the phones were delivered to her home and placed next to a trash can.

cleveland, 2 Sep. 2022 This Swedish purveyor began when founder Holger Nielsen' quest to create the perfect receptacle for his wife's hair salon resulted in a now-iconic trash can.

Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, 29 Aug. 2022 Torrey was the only of four K9s to do so, and also alerted to a trash can in Flores’ dorm room.

Fox News, 26 Aug. 2022 And alone, in the 30-degree air, Burton launched ball after ball into the trash can.

Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 Aug. 2022 Back at Green City’s final Friday match, Casanova Valentine fended off his challenger in a bruising brawl featuring a trash can, ladder and other construction equipment.

New York Times, 24 June 2022 Drafting him is betting on his lawyers successfully kicking the can down the road far enough to where a potential suspension doesn’t happen until next season.

Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2022 But apparently better to sell tickets now and kick the can down the road to building a winner.

Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English (1st & 3rd singular present indicative), from Old English; akin to Old High German kan (1st & 3rd singular present indicative) know, am able, Old English cnāwan to know — more at know

Noun

Middle English canne, from Old English; akin to Old High German channa

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

can 1 of 4

helping verb

kən

ˈkan

past could

kəd,

ˈku̇d

; present singular & plural can

: know how to

We can read.

: be able to

I can hear you.

: be permitted by conscience or feeling to

They can hardly blame me.

: have permission to

You can go now.

: to be possible

Can he still be alive?

can

2 of 4

noun

ˈkan

: a metal container usually shaped like a cylinder

a soda can

: the contents of a can

Add a can of tomatoes.

can

3 of 4

verb

ˈkan

canned; canning

: to prepare for later use by sealing in an airtight can or jar

Let's can peaches for winter.

Can., Canad.

4 of 4

abbreviation

Canada

Canadian

can 1 of 2

verb

as in to stop

slang to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end can the chatter, or I'm kicking you out of this library

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

stop
cease
halt
end
quit
conclude
delay
discontinue
break
suspend
lay off
cut off
finish
drop
cut out
call
shut off
suspend
complete
leave off
desist (from)
break off
hold
give over
break up
knock off
hinder
check
impede
block
pause
ruin
have done with
suppress
stay
obstruct
detain
put the kibosh on
kill
deactivate
destroy
pack (up or in)
stem
scuttle
hold back
abort
turn back
close (down)
dissolve
squelch
demolish
abolish
dam
stunt
stamp
squash
arrest
brake
blockade
stanch
staunch
annul
snuff
kibosh
clamp down
rein (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

continue
proceed
keep up
progress
advance
follow through (with)
run on
drive
propel
impel
carry on
stir
actuate

as in to remove

to let go from office, service, or employment the cashier was summarily canned for stealing from the registers

Synonyms & Similar Words

remove
dismiss
sack
retire
fire
muster out
release
terminate
bounce
ax
discharge
cashier
turn off
lay off
send packing
downsize
axe
unseat
excess
pink-slip
show (someone) the door
trim
kick out
separate
throw out
furlough
drum (out)
chuck (out)
boot (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

employ
retain
engage
keep
hire
take on
sign (up or on)
recruit
contract
rehire
reemploy
subcontract

can

2 of 2

noun

as in barrel

a metal container in the shape of a cylinder the shelter stores huge cans of water for an emergency

Synonyms & Similar Words

barrel
drum
tin
canister
cannister
bucket
tin can
cannikin
pail

as in jail

a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody the racketeers were rounded up and thrown in the can

Synonyms & Similar Words

jail
penitentiary
prison
hold
brig
cooler
pen
hock
big house
coop
stir
bastille
lockup
slam
nick
calaboose
clink
jug
pokey
bridewell
stockade
keep
guardroom
slammer
jailhouse
cage
joint
tank
tolbooth
hoosegow
quod
bull pen
cell
dungeon
ward
block
work camp
concentration camp
labor camp
hole
prison camp
guardhouse
reform school
glasshouse
hulk(s)
training school
stalag
gulag
reformatory
oubliette

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

outside

as in restroom

a room furnished with a fixture for flushing body waste I excused myself and asked if I could use the can

Synonyms & Similar Words

restroom
bathroom
water closet
convenience
loo
toilet
john
bath
washroom
lavatory
bog
privy
comfort station
potty
cloakroom
head
latrine
pan
powder room
pot
commode
ladies
ladies' room
men's room
half bath
outhouse
jakes
garderobe

as in seat

the part of the body upon which someone sits he fell on the ice and landed on his can

Synonyms & Similar Words

seat
cheeks
tail
behind
bum
rear end
tail end
fanny
duff
rump
bottom
rear
beam
butt
fundament
nates
backside
hams
buns
keister
derriere
posterior
caboose
breech
hunkers
booty
buttocks
heinie
tush
keester
haunches
stern
derrière
bootie
moon

单词	can
释义	can 1 of 5 verb (1) kən, ˈkan also ˈken; dialectal ˈkin past could kəd, ˈku̇d ; present singular & plural can auxiliary verb 1 a : be physically or mentally able to He can lift 200 pounds. b : know how to She can read. c —used to indicate possibility Do you think he can still be alive?Those things can happen. —sometimes used interchangeably with may d : be inherently able or designed to everything that money can buy e : be enabled by law, agreement, or custom to Congress can declare war. f : be permitted by conscience or feeling to can hardly blame her g : be made possible or probable by circumstances to He can hardly have meant that. h : be logically or axiologically able to 2 + 2 can also be written 3 + 1. 2 : have permission to —used interchangeably with may You can go now if you like. transitive verb 1 archaic : to be able to do, make, or accomplish 2 obsolete : know, understand intransitive verb archaic : to have knowledge or skill can 2 of 5 noun ˈkan plural cans 1 : a usually cylindrical receptacle: a : a container (as of tinplate) in which products (such as perishable foods) are hermetically sealed for preservation until use a can of beans b : a usually metal typically cylindrical receptacle usually with an open top, often with a removable cover, and sometimes with a spout or side handles (as for holding liquid or trash) c : a jar for packing or preserving fruit or vegetables d : a vessel for holding liquids specifically : a drinking vessel … in his hand did bear a boozing can … Edmund Spenser e : a recessed lighting fixture Augment natural light with recessed cans in the ceiling, sconces on side walls, or a table lamp on a shelf … Jill Connors 2 informal : buttocks He needs a kick in the can. 3 informal a : toilet sitting on the can b : bathroom sense 1 He locked himself in the can and wouldn't come out. 4 informal : jail The cops threw him in the can. 5 slang : destroyer sense 2 served on a can during the battle 6 informal : headphone —usually plural You don't realize just how noisy it is inside a plane until you put on a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones … . I generally leave the noise-cancelling cans on even when I'm not listening to anything at all—the relative quiet makes a long trip less stressful. Steven Morgenstern canful ˈkan-ˌfu̇l noun can 3 of 5 verb (2) ˈkan canned; canning transitive verb 1 a : to put in a can : preserve by sealing in airtight cans or jars can tomatoes b : to hit (a golf shot) into the cup c : to hit (a shot) in basketball 2 : to discharge from employment got canned for being late so often 3 slang : to put a stop or end to were told to can the chatter canner noun can 4 of 5 abbreviation (1) 1 canceled; cancellation 2 cannon 3 canto Can 5 of 5 abbreviation (2) variants or Canad Canada; Canadian Phrases in the can of a film or videotape : completed and ready for release Synonyms Noun barrel canister cannister drum tin Verb (2) break break off break up cease cut off cut out desist (from) discontinue drop end give over halt knock off lay off leave off pack (up or in) quit shut off stop See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Noun He ate the whole can of beans. the shelter stores huge cans of water for an emergency Recent Examples on the Web Noun Kids in her class thought maybe a janitor dropped a trash can or somebody dropped a chair or a desk. Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 2022 She was told the phones were delivered to her home and placed next to a trash can. cleveland, 2 Sep. 2022 This Swedish purveyor began when founder Holger Nielsen' quest to create the perfect receptacle for his wife's hair salon resulted in a now-iconic trash can. Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, 29 Aug. 2022 Torrey was the only of four K9s to do so, and also alerted to a trash can in Flores’ dorm room. Fox News, 26 Aug. 2022 And alone, in the 30-degree air, Burton launched ball after ball into the trash can. Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 15 Aug. 2022 Back at Green City’s final Friday match, Casanova Valentine fended off his challenger in a bruising brawl featuring a trash can, ladder and other construction equipment. New York Times, 24 June 2022 Drafting him is betting on his lawyers successfully kicking the can down the road far enough to where a potential suspension doesn’t happen until next season. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2022 But apparently better to sell tickets now and kick the can down the road to building a winner. Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Verb (1) Middle English (1st & 3rd singular present indicative), from Old English; akin to Old High German kan (1st & 3rd singular present indicative) know, am able, Old English cnāwan to know — more at know Noun Middle English canne, from Old English; akin to Old High German channa First Known Use Verb (1) before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2 Noun before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb (2) 1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Phrases Containing can as/so far as one can see/tell/judge all (that) one can do as far as the eye can see as far/near as I can tell (as) near as someone can tell/figure before one can blink bite off more than one can chew can/could do without can be forgiven can hardly wait can-do can it can make nothing of can opener can take a joke (can) trace one's history (back) to catch-as-catch-can for as long as one can remember garbage can how can/could I (can) promise you looks can be deceiving/deceptive no can do one (can) bet one's ass open a can of worms the can the least someone can do walk before one can run watering can trash can where can (someone) (possibly) be who can tell as best one can can of worms more than someone can shake a stick at ash can tin can all one can do spray can shit-can you can say that again carry the can in the can jerry can See More as/so far as one can see/tell/judge all (that) one can do as far as the eye can see as far/near as I can tell (as) near as someone can tell/figure before one can blink bite off more than one can chew can/could do without can be forgiven can hardly wait can-do can it can make nothing of can opener can take a joke (can) trace one's history (back) to catch-as-catch-can for as long as one can remember garbage can how can/could I (can) promise you looks can be deceiving/deceptive no can do one (can) bet one's ass open a can of worms the can the least someone can do walk before one can run watering can trash can where can (someone) (possibly) be who can tell as best one can can of worms more than someone can shake a stick at ash can tin can all one can do spray can shit-can you can say that again carry the can in the can jerry can See More Kids Definition can 1 of 4 helping verb kən ˈkan past could kəd, ˈku̇d ; present singular & plural can 1 : know how to We can read. 2 : be able to I can hear you. 3 : be permitted by conscience or feeling to They can hardly blame me. 4 : have permission to You can go now. 5 : to be possible Can he still be alive? can 2 of 4 noun ˈkan 1 : a metal container usually shaped like a cylinder a soda can 2 : the contents of a can Add a can of tomatoes. can 3 of 4 verb ˈkan canned; canning : to prepare for later use by sealing in an airtight can or jar Let's can peaches for winter. Can., Canad. 4 of 4 abbreviation 1 Canada 2 Canadian can 1 of 2 verb 1 as in to stop slang to bring (as an action or operation) to an immediate end can the chatter, or I'm kicking you out of this library Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance stop cease halt end quit conclude delay discontinue break suspend lay off cut off finish drop cut out call shut off suspend complete leave off desist (from) break off hold give over break up knock off hinder check impede block pause ruin have done with suppress stay obstruct detain put the kibosh on kill deactivate destroy pack (up or in) stem scuttle hold back abort turn back close (down) dissolve squelch demolish abolish dam stunt stamp squash arrest brake blockade stanch staunch annul snuff kibosh clamp down rein (in) Antonyms & Near Antonyms continue proceed keep up progress advance follow through (with) run on drive propel impel carry on stir actuate See More 2 as in to remove to let go from office, service, or employment the cashier was summarily canned for stealing from the registers Synonyms & Similar Words remove dismiss sack retire fire muster out release terminate bounce ax discharge cashier turn off lay off send packing downsize axe unseat excess pink-slip show (someone) the door trim kick out separate throw out furlough drum (out) chuck (out) boot (out) Antonyms & Near Antonyms employ retain engage keep hire take on sign (up or on) recruit contract rehire reemploy subcontract See More can 2 of 2 noun 1 as in barrel a metal container in the shape of a cylinder the shelter stores huge cans of water for an emergency Synonyms & Similar Words barrel drum tin canister cannister bucket tin can cannikin pail 2 as in jail a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody the racketeers were rounded up and thrown in the can Synonyms & Similar Words jail penitentiary prison hold brig cooler pen hock big house coop stir bastille lockup slam nick calaboose clink jug pokey bridewell stockade keep guardroom slammer jailhouse cage joint tank tolbooth hoosegow quod bull pen cell dungeon ward block work camp concentration camp labor camp hole prison camp guardhouse reform school glasshouse hulk(s) training school stalag gulag reformatory oubliette Antonyms & Near Antonyms outside 3 as in restroom a room furnished with a fixture for flushing body waste I excused myself and asked if I could use the can Synonyms & Similar Words restroom bathroom water closet convenience loo toilet john bath washroom lavatory bog privy comfort station potty cloakroom head latrine pan powder room pot commode ladies ladies' room men's room half bath outhouse jakes garderobe 4 as in seat the part of the body upon which someone sits he fell on the ice and landed on his can Synonyms & Similar Words seat cheeks tail behind bum rear end tail end fanny duff rump bottom rear beam butt fundament nates backside hams buns keister derriere posterior caboose breech hunkers booty buttocks heinie tush keester haunches stern derrière bootie moon
随便看	unnecessary unnecessitated unneeded unneedful unnegotiable unneighbored unneighborliness unneighborlinesses unneighborly unneighboured unneighbourliness unneighbourlinesses unneighbourly unnerve unnerved unnerves unnerving unnervingly unnest unnested unnesting unnests unneurotic unneutral unneutrality

can

verb (1)

noun

verb (2)

abbreviation (1)

abbreviation (2)

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing can

Kids Definition

helping verb

noun

verb

abbreviation

verb

noun