Can isn a word

Log in Sign Up. You can learn all about them. What to Know Both cannot and can not are perfectly fine, but cannot is far more common and is therefore recommended, especially in any kind of formal writing. More Words At Play. Merriam-Webster's Words of the Week - Oct. Time Traveler. Love words? Need even more definitions? I generally leave the noise-cancelling cans on even when I'm not listening to anything at all—the relative quiet makes a long trip less stressful.

Definition of can Entry 3 of 5. Definition of can Entry 4 of 5. Can abbreviation 2. Definition of Can Entry 5 of 5. Canada; Canadian. Other Words from can Synonyms Can vs. Synonyms for can Synonyms: Noun barrel , canister also cannister , drum , tin Synonyms: Verb 2 break , break off , break up , cease , cut off , cut out , desist from , discontinue , drop , end , give over , halt , knock off , lay off , leave off , pack up or in , quit , shut off , stop Visit the Thesaurus for More.

Can vs. May : Usage Guide Verb 1 Can and may are most frequently interchangeable in uses denoting possibility; because the possibility of one's doing something may depend on another's acquiescence, they have also become interchangeable in the sense denoting permission. Examples of can in a Sentence Noun He ate the whole can of beans. Recent Examples on the Web: Noun According to Hamilton, a deputy on courthouse security saw Robinson splash paint from a single can on the monument about 4 p.

First Known Use of can Verb 1 before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2 Noun before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb 2 , in the meaning defined at sense 1a. Buying Guide Our team at The Usage has selected the best pressure cookers of Learn More About can.

Time Traveler for can The first known use of can was before the 12th century See more words from the same century. From the Editors at Merriam-Webster. You can learn all about them. Kicking It with 'Kick the Can Down the Perhaps it was the only one of the match?

Or maybe it was the clincher that won the league? Context very often determines sense. There are many exceptions regarding the use of the definite article, for example in relation to proper nouns. Yet Rosen rejects that view. This simplest of words can be used for dramatic effect. The living King or a dead King? The British philosopher Bertrand Russell wrote a paper in called On Denoting, all about the definite article.

Russell put forward a theory of definite descriptions. This topic has been argued about, in a philosophical context, ever since. Lynne Murphy, professor of linguistics at the University of Sussex, spoke at the Boring Conference in , an event celebrating topics that are mundane, ordinary and overlooked, but are revealed to be fascinating.