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can [ c·an ]

[
US
kən, kæn ]
[
UK
kən, kæn ]
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Modal verb (can, could)

1. Be able to.

I could hear footsteps

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2. Be able to through acquired knowledge or skill.

I don't know anyone who can paint like me.

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3. Have the opportunity or possibility to.

there are many ways holidaymakers can take money abroad

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4. Used to express doubt or surprise about the possibility of something's being the case.

where can she have gone?

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5. Used to indicate that something is typically the case.

he could be very moody

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6. Be permitted to.

nobody could legally drink on the premises

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7. Used to request someone to do something.

can you open the window?

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8. Used to make a suggestion or offer.

I can go a lot slower if you want.

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Origin

1. Old English cunnan ‘know’ (in Middle English‘know how to’), related to Dutch kunnen and German können; from an Indo-European root shared by Latin gnoscere ‘know’ and Greek gignōskein ‘know’.

Noun

1. A cylindrical metal container.

a petrol can

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2. A small steel or aluminium container in which food or drink is hermetically sealed for storage over long periods.

Glass bottles and jars and aluminium drink cans should not be sent to landfill.

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3. The quantity of food or drink held by a can.

Last night I did consume quite a few cans of soft drink.

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4. (the can) Prison.

our friends will get a year or two in the can

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5. (the can) The toilet.

she walks in and has to use the can

6. (cans) Headphones.
7. (cans) A woman's breasts.

Verb (cans, canning, canned)

1. Preserve (food) in a can.

After ripening, pears should be canned or preserved.

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2. Dismiss from a job.

A county wastewater employee says he was canned for speaking out against a private company.

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3. Reject as inadequate.

A $3.5-million cleanup project was canned in May 2000 for feasibility problems.

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Origin

1. Old English canne, related to Dutch kan and German Kanne; either of Germanic origin or from late Latin canna.

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