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can
1[ kan; unstressed kuhn ]
auxiliary verb
- to be able to; have the ability, power, or skill to:
She can solve the problem easily, I'm sure.
- to know how to:
He can play chess, although he's not particularly good at it.
- to have the power or means to:
A dictator can impose his will on the people.
- to have the right or qualifications to:
He can change whatever he wishes in the script.
- may; have permission to:
Can I speak to you for a moment?
- to have the possibility:
A coin can land on either side.
verb (used with or without object)
- Obsolete. to know.
can
2[ kan ]
noun
- a sealed container for food, beverages, etc., as of aluminum, sheet iron coated with tin, or other metal:
a can of soup.
- a receptacle for garbage, ashes, etc.:
a trash can.
- a bucket, pail, or other container for holding or carrying liquids:
water can.
- a drinking cup; tankard.
- a metal or plastic container for holding film on cores or reels.
- Slang. jail ( def 1 ):
He's been in the can for a week.
- Slang: Sometimes Vulgar. buttocks.
- cans, Slang. a set of headphones designed to cover the ears. Compare earbuds.
- Military Slang.
- a depth charge.
- a destroyer.
verb (used with object)
- to preserve by sealing in a can, jar, etc.
- Slang. to dismiss; fire.
- Slang. to throw (something) away.
- Slang. to put a stop to:
Can that noise!
- to record, as on film or tape.
can.
3abbreviation for
- canceled.
- canon.
- canto.
Can.
4abbreviation for
- Canada.
- Canadian.
Can.
1abbreviation for
- Canada
- Canadian
can
2/ kæn; kən /
verb
- used as an auxiliary to indicate ability, skill, or fitness to perform a task
I can run a mile in under four minutes
- used as an auxiliary to indicate permission or the right to something
can I have a drink?
- used as an auxiliary to indicate knowledge of how to do something
he can speak three languages fluently
- used as an auxiliary to indicate the possibility, opportunity, or likelihood
my trainer says I can win the race if I really work hard
can
3/ kæn /
noun
- a container, esp for liquids, usually of thin sheet metal
a petrol can
beer can
- See tinanother name (esp US) for tin
- Also calledcanful the contents of a can or the amount a can will hold
- See prisona slang word for prison
- See toileta slang word for toilet or buttocks See toilet
- See destroyernavy a slang word for destroyer
- slang.navy a depth charge
- a shallow cylindrical metal container of varying size used for storing and handling film
- can of worms informal.can of worms a complicated problem
- See carrycarry the cancarry the can See carry
- in the canin the can
- (of a film, piece of music, etc) having been recorded, processed, edited, etc
- arranged or agreed
the contract is almost in the can
verb
- to put (food, etc) into a can or cans; preserve in a can
- slang.tr to dismiss from a job
- informal.tr to stop (doing something annoying or making an annoying noise) (esp in the phrase can it! )
- informal.tr to reject or discard
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Usage Note
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Usage
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Confusables Note
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Word History and Origins
Origin of can1
Origin of can2
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Word History and Origins
Origin of can1
Origin of can2
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Idioms and Phrases
- carry the can, British and Canadian Slang. to take the responsibility.
- in the can, recorded on film; completed:
The movie is in the can and ready for release.
More idioms and phrases containing can
- as best one can
- before you can say Jack Robinson
- bite off more than one can chew
- carry the can
- catch as catch can
- game that two can play
- get the ax (can)
- in the can
- more than one can shake a stick at
- no can do
- you can bet your ass
- you can lead a horse to water
- you can say that again
- you never can tell
- can't
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Example Sentences
So it's really a take-what-you-can-get kind of situation with him.
The shards of one can be used to cut someone (never mind the constant availability of soup-can tops).
But no deal has been as bold as their newest: all-you-can-eat appetizers for the summer.
Just how dedicated is the mega-chain to its new all-you-can-eat summer promotion?
However, limit yourself to one plate rather than adopting an all-you-can-eat mindset.
From Bungay in Suffolk comes the news that a water-wagtail has built its nest in a milk-can.
When he waded past Captain Can-dage he heard the old skipper trying to comfort the girl, his voice low and broken by sobs.
He kept his worms there, between his cap lining and his hair; it saved the trouble of a bait-can.
"Mind old Jerry's ghost doesn't catch hold of you," cried her waggish brother Jack, as she crossed the threshold, tea-can in hand.
Bob, Bob, massa him want can-noo go see great big ship mighty quick.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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