can
Can (verb) means to be able to do something, or to know how to do it. Example: “She can speak three languages fluently.”
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.
Don't confuse the modal verb "can" (ability) with "may" (formal permission) — many teachers still insist on the distinction in careful writing.
Word forms
could past tense, couth past tense, canned past tense, could plural, can plural, cans plural, can plural, canned plural, can singular, could singular, canst singular, cannest singular, couldst singular, couldest singular, could'st singular, canneth singular, cans singular, can singular, canned singular
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.
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.
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