can
9 synonyms and 0 antonyms for can, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To be able to do something, or to know how to do it.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use can
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
The verb goes back to Old English cunnan, "to know how"; it is a distant relative of "know". The container sense comes from a separate Old English word, candel-related only by coincidence.
Full origin of can →Frequently asked questions
What does “can” mean?
The word “can” means to be able to do something, or to know how to do it. In plain terms, either the helping verb for ability/permission ("I can do it") or a metal food/drink container.
How do you pronounce “can”?
“Can” is pronounced KAN (/ˈkæn/ in IPA).
How do you use “can” in a sentence?
Here is “can” used in a sentence: “She can speak three languages fluently.”
What is another word for “can”?
Words with a similar meaning to “can” include dump, scrap, stifle, make silent, let go and sack.
What part of speech is “can”?
Depending on how it is used, “can” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “can” come from?
The word “can” comes from Old English. The verb goes back to Old English cunnan, "to know how"; it is a distant relative of "know". The container sense comes from a separate Old English word, candel-related only by coincidence.
Is “can” a common word?
“Can” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “can” have?
“Can” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to be able to do something, or to know how to do it.
What is the difference between "can" and "may"?
Traditionally, "can" expresses ability ("She can swim") and "may" expresses permission ("May I leave?"). In modern everyday English, "can" is widely used for permission too, but "may" remains the safer choice in formal contexts.
What is the difference between "can" and "could"?
"Could" works as the past tense of "can" ("I could run fast as a child") and also makes requests and possibilities sound more polite or tentative ("Could you help me?"). "Can" is more direct and refers to present ability or permission.
Is it "cannot" or "can not"?
The standard negative form is one word, "cannot," or the contraction "can't." Writing "can not" as two words is only correct when "not" belongs to a different phrase, as in "You can not only watch but also play".
Does "can" change form with "he" or "she"?
No. "Can" is a modal verb, so it never takes an "-s": "he can," never "he cans" in this sense. It also has no infinitive or "-ing" form; English uses "be able to" to fill those gaps, as in "I want to be able to drive".