can
KAN
Can (verb) means to be able to do something, or to know how to do it. Example: “She can speak three languages fluently.”
verb
1
To be able to do something, or to know how to do it.
"She can speak three languages fluently."
"Can you swim?"
"My brother can play the piano without looking at the keys."
2
Used to say something is allowed or permitted.
"You can leave early if you finish your work."
"Visitors can park in the yard behind the museum."
"Children can borrow up to five books from the library."
3
To preserve food by sealing it in an airtight can or jar.
"They spent the weekend canning tomatoes from the garden."
"My grandmother cans peaches every summer so we have fruit in winter."
"Farmers here canned their fish to keep it fresh for months."
4
Informally, to dismiss someone from a job, or to scrap a plan.
"The company canned the project after the budget was cut."
"The network canned the show after just one season."
"The manager threatened to can anyone who arrived late again."
noun
1
A sealed metal container, especially for food or drink.
"He grabbed a can of soup from the cupboard."
"She recycled the empty soda can."
"There was a dented can of beans at the back of the shelf."
How to use can
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the helping verb for ability/permission ("I can do it") or a metal food/drink container.
Common mistake
Don't confuse the modal verb "can" (ability) with "may" (formal permission) — many teachers still insist on the distinction in careful writing.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
can of beans
canned goods
can do
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Word forms
- Plural
- cans
- Third person singular
- cans
- Past tense
- could, couth, canned
- Archaic forms
- canst, cannest, couldst, couldest, could'st, canneth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ speak three languages fluently.
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.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for can
See all rhymes for 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".
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing can in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
High-end hospitality offerings and sponsorships can be helpful to boost revenue, but executive after executive told ESPN the path to real growth must come one way: through broadcast revenue.
From
ESPN · Jul 25, 2026
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