can

verb \ kən , ˈkan also ˈken ; dialectal ˈkin \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Usage guide: can vs. may

Examples: can in a Sentence

Definition of can

past could play \kəd, ˈku̇d\; present singular & plural can

transitive verb

1 obsolete : know, understand

2 archaic : to be able to do, make, or accomplish

intransitive verb

archaic : to have knowledge or skill

auxiliary verb

1 a : know how to

She can read.

b : be physically or mentally able to

He can lift 200 pounds.

c —used to indicate possibility

Do you think he can still be alive?

Those things can happen.

—sometimes used interchangeably with may

d : be permitted by conscience or feeling to

can hardly blame her

e : be made possible or probable by circumstances to

he can hardly have meant that

f : be inherently able or designed to

everything that money can buy

g : be logically or axiologically able to

2 + 2 can also be written 3 + 1.

h : be enabled by law, agreement, or custom to

Congress can declare war.

2 : have permission to —used interchangeably with may

You can go now if you like.

can vs. may

Can and may are most frequently interchangeable in uses denoting possibility; because the possibility of one's doing something may depend on another's acquiescence, they have also become interchangeable in the sense denoting permission. The use of can to ask or grant permission has been common since the 19th century and is well established, although some commentators feel may is more appropriate in formal contexts. May is relatively rare in negative constructions (mayn't is not common); cannot and can't are usual in such contexts.

Origin and Etymology of can

Middle English (1st & 3rd singular present indicative), from Old English; akin to Old High German kan (1st & 3rd singular present indicative) know, am able, Old English cnāwan to know — more at know

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

can

noun \ ˈkan \

Definition of can

plural cans

1 : a usually cylindrical receptacle:

a : a vessel for holding liquids; specifically : a drinking vessel

… in his hand did bear a boozing can …
—Edmund Spenser

b : a usually metal typically cylindrical receptacle usually with an open top, often with a removable cover, and sometimes with a spout or side handles (as for holding liquid or trash)

c : a container (as of tinplate) in which products (such as perishable foods) are hermetically sealed for preservation until use

a can of beans

d : a jar for packing or preserving fruit or vegetables

e : a recessed lighting fixture

Augment natural light with recessed cans in the ceiling, sconces on side walls, or a table lamp on a shelf …
—Jill Connors

2 : jail

The cops threw him in the can.

3 a : toilet

sitting on the can

b : bathroom 1

He locked himself in the can and wouldn't come out.

4 : buttocks

He needs a kick in the can.

5 : destroyer 2

served on a can during the battle

6 : headphone —usually plural

You don't realize just how noisy it is inside a plane until you put on a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones … . I generally leave the noise-cancelling cans on even when I'm not listening to anything at all—the relative quiet makes a long trip less stressful.
—Steven Morgenstern

—

canful

play \ˈkan-ˌfu̇l\ noun

— in the can

of a film or videotape : completed and ready for release

See can defined for English-language learners

Examples of can in a Sentence

He ate the whole can of beans.
the shelter stores huge cans of water for an emergency

Recent Examples of can from the Web

Add on two cans of Modelo for $8 or a bottle of rosé for $30.

— samantha nelson, RedEye Chicago, "Where to buy pre-made picnics for summer in Chicago," 8 June 2018
The Baderbrau taproom and kitchen, which are attached to the brewery at 2515 S. Wabash Ave., remain open and cans of Baderbrau beer are still in the market.

— josh noel, chicagotribune.com, "Baderbrau Brewing for sale, no longer making beer, as craft beer industry tightens," 8 June 2018
Equipment bags of flour, cans of food, pasta, quinoa, oils containers, soy sauce and other dry foods inside.

— david j. neal, miamiherald, "Rodent poop in a fruit bowl, near soup, on shelves. These restaurants are in deep ...," 7 June 2018
And the assembled German bikers are eating weisswurst and pretzels, gulping glasses of German pilsner rather than cans of Miller Lite.

— jay bennett, Popular Mechanics, "Beer and Bikes in the Black Forest—And All for a Good Cause," 31 May 2018
Whalen was joined by parents, administrators, alums from across the country and even students who wore lacrosse helmets in order to limit the risk of injury while smashing full cans of beer over their heads.

— mike anthony, courant.com, "Mike Anthony: Wesleyan National Championship Result Of University Commitment, Takes Place At Home Of Top Supporter Bill Belichick," 28 May 2018
Osom Griffin, 35, stole three cans of spray paint and ran from officers as Kyle Paye, 32, sat waiting in a getaway vehicle, police say.

— laurel andrews, Anchorage Daily News, "Stolen antifreeze, alcohol and fake fingernails: Fred Meyer shoplifting sting nabs 25 suspects," 26 May 2018
Next use a potato masher or wooden spoon to smash two cans of chickpeas into the shallot mixture until half of the chickpeas have broken into small pieces and half are fairly intact.

— aliza abarbanel, Bon Appetit, "Smashed Chickpeas on Toast Is Perfect for Picnics, Weeknights, and Moments of Desperation," 23 May 2018
Social media couldn't help but notice that Pippa Middleton's dress bore a striking similarity to the iconic cans of green tea...and Arizona even got in on the fun, too.

— lauren rearick, Teen Vogue, "Best Royal Wedding Memes," 20 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'can.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of can

Middle English canne, from Old English; akin to Old High German channa

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

can Synonyms

Synonyms

backside, behind, bottom, breech, bum, buns, butt, buttocks, cheeks, derriere (or derrière), duff, fanny, hams, haunches, hunkers, posterior, rear, rear end, rump, seat, tail, tail end;

Related Words

beam, stern;

can

verb \ ˈkan \

Definition of can

canned; canning

transitive verb

1 a : to put in a can : preserve by sealing in airtight cans or jars

can tomatoes

b : to hit (a golf shot) into the cup

c : to hit (a shot) in basketball

2 : to discharge from employment

got canned for being late so often

3 slang : to put a stop or end to

were told to can the chatter

—

canner

noun

First Known Use of can

1859

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

can

abbreviation

Definition of can

1 canceled; cancellation

2 cannon

3 canto

Can

abbreviation

variants: or Canad

Definition of Can

Canada; Canadian

CAN Defined for English Language Learners

can

noun

Definition of can for English Language Learners

: a closed metal container that is usually shaped like a cylinder and that holds food or drink
: the food or drink that is in a can
: a metal or plastic container that has a removable top and that is used for holding liquid, trash, etc.