Pronunciation: kăn (verb), kăn (noun)
Definition of Can
-
Verb

- To be able to; to have the power or ability: "She can run fast."
- To know how to; to be skilled at: "I can play the piano."
- To be permitted by conscience or moral principles to do something, esp. what is considered wrong or disapproved of: "They can't in good conscience lie about it."
- Past tense and past participle of a helping verb.
-
Noun
- A metal container, especially one that is cylindrical in shape and has a lid, typically used for holding food or drink: "A soda can."
- The contents of such a container: "He ate the whole can of beans."
Etymology of Can
Old English can "to know, to be able to," from Proto-Germanic *kannan.

Examples in a Sentence
- I can't believe I forgot my keys!
- Can you help me with this project?
- She can sing beautifully, but she doesn't perform often.
- He drank the whole can of soda in one go.
Synonyms for Can (verb)
- Able
- Capable
- Competent
- Skilled
- Qualified
- Licensed
Synonyms for Can (noun)
Antonyms for Can (verb)
- Incapable
- Unable
- Unqualified
- Ignorant
Phrases Containing "Can"
- All one can do
- As far as the eye can see
- In the can
- Kick the can down the road
- No can do
Related Articles and Videos
- 'Cannot' vs. 'Can Not': Is There a Difference?
- Kicking It with 'Kick the Can Down the Road'
- 'Can' vs. 'May': Can You Use 'Can' or Must You Use 'May'?
See Also
Note: This dictionary entry is based on information from the Merriam-Webster website, accessed September 10, 2025.
Sources:- [
CAN Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster] (
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/can)
- [
Jan Richardson Sight Words | Level A | Can | Jack Hartmann] (
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=904rpgTnZnw)
- [
"Can" vs. "Could": What's The Difference? - Thesaurus.com] (
https://www.thesaurus.com/e/grammar/can-vs-could/)
- [
CAN, COULD, BE ABLE TO | Learn English] (
https://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-modals-can-could-able.php)
- [
'can' and 'could' | LearnEnglish - British Council] (
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/english-grammar-reference/can-could)
- [
Can Cannot Can't - Learn English Grammar] (
https://www.grammar.cl/Basic/Can_Cannot.htm)
- [
Can vs. Could: Learn the Difference - Grammarly Blog] (
https://www.grammarly.com/blog/commonly-confused-words/can-vs-could/?msockid=083be8b765a668c10ab6fede6420696d)
- [
ELLLO - Beginner English - A1 - Can - Abilities] (
https://www.elllo.org/class/A1/A1-19-Can-Abilities.html)
- [
Grammar Games - Can / Auxiliary Verbs] (
https://www.mes-games.com/can.php)
- [
Drink can - Wikipedia] (
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drink_can)