canal
0 antonyms and opposites of canal, grouped by meaning.
Noun — A man-made waterway built for boats, irrigation, or drainage.
How to use canal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French canal, from Latin canalis, "channel", ultimately from a word for "reed" — a doublet of "channel".
Full origin of canal →Frequently asked questions
What does “canal” mean?
The word “canal” means a man-made waterway built for boats, irrigation, or drainage. In plain terms, an artificial waterway, or by extension, a narrow channel-like passage in the body.
How do you pronounce “canal”?
“Canal” is pronounced kuh-NAL (/kəˈnæl/ in IPA).
How do you use “canal” in a sentence?
Here is “canal” used in a sentence: “Barges once carried coal along the canal.”
What part of speech is “canal”?
“Canal” is a noun.
Where does the word “canal” come from?
The word “canal” comes from Latin. From Old French canal, from Latin canalis, "channel", ultimately from a word for "reed" — a doublet of "channel".
Is “canal” a common word?
“Canal” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “canal” have?
“Canal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a man-made waterway built for boats, irrigation, or drainage.
What is the difference between a canal and a river?
A river is a natural watercourse that forms and flows on its own, while a canal is a man-made waterway built for boats, irrigation, or drainage. Canals follow engineered routes and often use locks to manage water levels.
What is the difference between a canal and a channel?
A canal is always artificial, dug for transport, irrigation, or drainage, whereas a "channel" can be a natural deep part of a waterway or a broad strait between land masses. All canals are channels in the broad sense, but not all channels are canals.
What are common collocations with "canal"?
Common phrases include "shipping canal," "irrigation canal," and "drainage canal" for waterways, plus "root canal," "ear canal," and "birth canal" for anatomical passages. The word pairs naturally with terms describing its purpose or location.