noun

cant

kant

noun

The specialized jargon of a particular trade, class, or group.

"Sailors developed their own cant that outsiders found hard to follow."

Insincere or hypocritical talk, especially moralizing speech.

"He dismissed the politician's promises as empty cant."

A tilt, slope, or angled position.

"The shelf had a slight cant to the left."

verb

To tilt or set something at an angle.

"She canted the mirror to catch more light."

How to Use Cant

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither insincere talk, group-specific jargon, or a tilt/slope.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with the contraction "can't" (cannot) — "cant" has no apostrophe and is a completely different word.

Easily confused with

can't →

canted past tense, canted past tense, canted past tense, cants plural, cants plural, cants plural, cants singular, cants singular, cants singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Sailors developed their own _____ that outsiders found hard to follow.

From Latin cantare, "to sing," probably through Old French. A doublet of "chant."

ant want pant rant Kant Gant Sant plant chant giant avant scant