canned

adjective

ˈkand 

1

: preserved in a sealed can or jar

canned peaches

canned pumpkin

2

a

: prepared or recorded in advance

especially : prepared in standardized form for nonspecific use or wide distribution

canned laughter

canned music

b

: lacking originality or individuality as if mass-produced

a canned speech

3

slang : drunk sense 1a

Synonyms

• imitative
• imitation
• mock
• copied
• formulaic
• misleading

Examples of canned in a Sentence

The salesperson kept using the same canned phrases.

there's a canned quality to the screenplay that reminds you of countless other action movies

Recent Examples on the Web

Some stores sell canned coconut cream alongside canned coconut milk. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2025

Their list of requests includes canned tuna and meat, fruit, vegetables, spaghetti and sauces, beans, soup, peanut butter, rice, cereal, snack bars, pasta and instant noodles. —Samantha Gowen, Oc Register, 9 June 2025

For years, canned beer has been gaining market share against its bottled counterpart. —Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2025

The drink selection is limited — craft beers, Northern California wines, hard seltzers, and canned cocktails. —Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for canned

• armband
• backhand
• bandstand
• baseband
• broadband
• command
• cropland
• demand
• disband
• dreamland
• expand
• farmhand

Kids Definition

canned

adjective

ˈkand 

1

: preserved in a sealed can or jar

canned peaches

2

a

: prepared or recorded in advance

especially : prepared in one form for ordinary use or wide distribution

canned laughter

b

: lacking originality as if mass-produced

a canned speech