Definition of can
past could
play
\kəd, ˈku̇d\;
present singular & plural can
2
archaic
: to be able to do, make, or accomplish
archaic
: to have knowledge or skill
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.
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.
