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

The Bachelor stars JoJo Fletcher and Jordan Rodgers usher in the summer at a party for Fletcher's canned cocktail brand, Saint Spritz in Montauk, N.Y. on June 28. —Toria Sheffield, People.com, 7 July 2025

And despite Chef Boyardee’s relative simplicity for its near 100-year history, focused on canned and microwaveable cups, there may be innovation in the works. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 7 July 2025

No, Skyline's canned original chili does not contain Red Dye 3 or any other artificial colors. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

Experts and crew recommend sticking with sealed drinks like bottled water or canned soda, or bringing your own coffee from the terminal instead. —Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 1 July 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