Definition of cancel
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: to decide not to conduct or perform (something planned or expected) usually without expectation of conducting or performing it at a later time
cancel a football game
b
: to destroy the force, effectiveness, or validity of : annul
cancel a magazine subscription a canceled check
c
: to match in force or effect : offset
—often used with out his irritability canceled out his natural kindness— Osbert Sitwell
d
: to bring to nothingness : destroy
e
: to withdraw one's support for (someone, such as a celebrity, or something, such as a company) publicly and especially on social media
… the internet has canceled her over her alleged anti-black and homophobic past.— Angie Dare
— see also cancel culture
2
: to deface (a postage or revenue stamp) especially with a set of ink lines so as to invalidate for reuse
3a
: to remove (a common divisor) from numerator and denominator
b
: to remove (equivalents) on opposite sides of an equation or account
: to neutralize each other's strength or effect : counterbalance
the various pressure groups to a large degree canceled out— J. B. Conant
cancel
noun
Definition of cancel (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: cancellation
an order quickly followed by a cancel
2a
: 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
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Who Knew?
-
- What is a ruelle?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
The first known use of cancel was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century