cancel

¹can·cel

verb \ˈkan(t)-səl\

can·celed or can·celledcan·cel·ing or can·cel·ling\-s(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of CANCEL

transitive verb

1

a : to destroy the force, effectiveness, or validity of : annul <cancel a magazine subscription> <a canceled check>

b : to bring to nothingness : destroy

c : to match in force or effect : offset —often used with out <his irritability canceled out his natural kindness — Osbert Sitwell>

d : to call off usually without expectation of conducting or performing at a later time <cancel a football game>

2

a : to mark or strike out for deletion

b : omit, delete

3

a : to remove (a common divisor) from numerator and denominator

b : to remove (equivalents) on opposite sides of an equation or account

4

: to deface (a postage or revenue stamp) especially with a set of ink lines so as to invalidate for reuse

intransitive verb

: to neutralize each other's strength or effect : counterbalance

— can·cel·able or can·cel·la·ble \-s(ə-)lə-bəl\ adjective

— can·cel·er or can·cel·ler \-s(ə-)lər\ noun

Examples of CANCEL

1. The event was canceled at the last minute when the speaker didn't show up.
2. We canceled our dinner reservation.
3. My flight was canceled because of the storm.
4. She canceled her appointment with the dentist.
5. I'm sorry, but I have to cancel. Can we meet next week?
6. He canceled his insurance policy last month.
7. We canceled our magazine subscription when we moved.
8. The bank canceled my credit card.
9. If you subscribe online, you can cancel at any time.

Origin of CANCEL

Middle English cancellen, from Anglo-French canceller, chanceller, from Late Latin cancellare, from Latin, to make like a lattice, from cancelli (plural), diminutive of cancer lattice, probably alteration of carcer prison

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CANCEL

Synonyms

abandon, abort, call, call off, cry off, drop, recall, repeal, rescind, revoke, scrap, scrub

Antonyms

continue, keep

Related Words

abrogate, annul, invalidate, nullify, void, write off; recant, retract, take back, withdraw; countermand, reverse, roll back; break off, discontinue, end, halt, stop, terminate; hold back, interrupt, suspend; give up, relinquish, surrender

Near Antonyms

engage, pledge, promise; begin, commence, initiate, start; take on, take up, undertake

²cancel

noun

Definition of CANCEL

1

: cancellation

2

a : a deleted part or passage

b (1) : a leaf containing matter to be deleted (2) : a new leaf or slip substituted for matter already printed

First Known Use of CANCEL

1806

Other Postal Terms

frank, indicia, philatelist

Rhymes with CANCEL

handsel