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 of canned

• imitative
• imitation
• copied
• mock
• 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

Party Potatoes has the three C’s of comfort food—carbs, canned soup, and cheese. — Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2026

Their flavor is different, but many recipes are written for canned or jarred hearts rather than fresh artichokes. — Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 7 Aug. 2026

The couple found canned food tucked away inside the house, along with furniture that had remained in place as decades passed. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

Shoppers should also look to canned and frozen fruit and vegetables to save money. — Elizabeth Canales, The Conversation, 16 July 2026

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