modal verb | noun | verb
cancan1 /kən; strong kæn/ ●●● S1 W1 modal verb (past tense could) 1to have the skill, opportunity, time, equipment, strength, etc. that you need in order to do something: Computers can store huge amounts of information. She couldn’t walk after the accident. The police still haven’t found her but they’re doing all they can.THESAURUSbe able to do something – to have the skill, strength, knowledge, etc. to do something. Be able to do something is more formal than can: Those bags look really heavy – are you sure you’ll be able to carry them on your own?have the ability to do something – to be able to do something, especially something that most people cannot do: Kirsten has the ability to make people feel relaxed and comfortable in stressful situations.be capable of something – to have the ability, energy, or qualities needed to do something. You use be capable of something about people and machines: She is capable of making her own decisions. The car is capable of a top speed of 200 mph.2to know how to do something: Jean can speak French fluently. I can’t swim. He could read when he was four.3to have permission to do something or to be allowed to do something: You can’t go in there. I told her she can watch TV till bedtime. In soccer, you can’t touch the ball with your hands (=it is against the rules).4[in questions] spoken used when asking someone to do something or give you something: Can I have the check, please? Can we turn the air conditioner on?5[in questions] spoken used when offering something: Can I get you something to drink? Can I help you?6[usually in questions or negatives] used especially when you think there is only one possible answer to a question or one possible thing to do in a particular situation: Sure she’s mad, can you blame her? That’s really nice of you, but I really can’t accept it.7used for telling someone in an angry way to do something: If you don’t want to learn, you can leave right now.8used especially in expressions of surprise: You can’t be serious! Who can that be at the door? They can’t have left without me!9used to show what sometimes happens or how someone sometimes behaves: It can get pretty cold here at night. He can be such a jerk sometimes.10happy/nice/sweet etc. as can be old-fashioned as happy, nice, etc. as is possible: She just sat there as pretty as could be.11no can do spoken used to say that it is impossible for you to do something: “Will you lend me the money?” “Sorry, no can do.” [Origin: Old English cunnan] → see also can-do, cannot, couldUSAGE: can, be able to• Use could or was/were able to when talking about an ability someone had in the past: She could ride a bike when she was three. He was able to reach the top shelf.• Use will be able to when talking about an ability someone will have in the future: When I get a job, I will be able to buy a car. modal verb | noun | verb
cancan2 /kæn/ ●●● S2 noun [countable] 1
a metal container in which food or drinks are preserved without air, or the food contained in this: soft drink canscan of a can of tuna fish2a garbage/trash can a large metal or plastic container for holding garbage (=waste food, paper, etc.)3a special metal container that keeps the liquid inside it under pressure, letting it out as a spray when you press the button on the lid: a can of hairspray4a metal container with a lid that can be removed, used for holding liquid: You’ll need three large cans of paint.5a (whole) can of worms a very complicated situation that causes a lot of problems when you start to deal with it: The investigations opened up a whole can of worms.6the can slang a)a toilet b)old-fashioned a prison7in the can informal a movie that is in the can is complete and ready to be shown [Origin: Old English canne] modal verb | noun | verb
cancan3 verb (canned, canning) [transitive] 1to preserve food by putting it into a closed container without air → see also canned2spoken to dismiss someone from his or her job: Did you hear that they canned Linda?3can it! spoken used to tell someone in an impolite way to stop talking or making noise