can
can1
/kən/, strong form /kæn/
1 used to say that it is possible for somebody/something to do something, or for something to happen
I can run fast.
Can you call back tomorrow?
He couldn't answer the question.
The stadium can be emptied in four minutes.
I can't promise anything, but I'll do what I can.
Please let us know if you cannot attend the meeting.
2 used to say that somebody knows how to do something
She can speak Spanish.
Can he cook?
I could drive a car before I left school.
3 used with the verbs ‘feel’, ‘hear’, ‘see’, ‘smell’, ‘taste’
She could feel a lump in her breast.
I can hear music.
4 used to show that somebody is allowed to do something
You can take the car, if you want.
We can't wear jeans at work.
5 used to ask permission to do something
Can I read your newspaper?
Can I take you home?
6 used to ask somebody to help you
Can you help me with this box?
Can you feed the cat, please?
7 used to make suggestions
We can eat in a restaurant, if you like.
I can take the car if necessary.
8 used in the negative for saying that you are sure something is not true
That can't be Mary—she's in New York.
He can't have slept through all that noise.
9 used to express doubt or surprise
What can they be doing?
Can he be serious?
Where can she have put it?
10 used to say what somebody/something is often like
He can be very tactless sometimes.
It can be quite cold here in winter.
11 (informal) used to say that somebody must do something, usually when you are angry
You can shut up or get out!
Idioms
can2
/kæn/
(British English also tin)
1 countable a metal container in which food and drink is sold can of something
a can of beans/beer/soda
a beer can
He opened the can and took a large swig.
an aluminium/tin can
In North American English can is the usual word used for both food and drink. In British English can is always used for drink, but tin or can can be used for food and other substances such as paint or varnish.
Collocations Dictionary
adjective
aluminium/aluminummetaltin…
verb + can
come inopendrain…
can + noun
opener
preposition
in a/the cancan of
can of something We drank a can of Coke each.
Have you eaten the whole can?
3 countable a metal or plastic container for holding or carrying liquids an oil can
He filled a can with water from the pump.
4 countable a metal container in which liquids are kept under pressure and let out in a fine spray when you press a button on the top a can of hairspray
5 the can singular (North American English, slang) prison 6 the can singular (North American English, slang) the toilet Idioms
can3
OPAL W
/kæn/
1 can something (especially North American English) to preserve food by putting it in a can
2 can somebody (North American English, informal) to dismiss somebody from their job
Upon learning he was sick, the company canned him without explanation.
Word Origin
Old English canne, related to Dutch kan and German Kanne; either of Germanic origin or from late Latin canna.