Pronunciation: /kæn/

Definitions of can

noun a toilet

Example Sentences

A1 I can swim.

A2 She can speak English.

B1 A can of soda costs $1.

B2 He bought a can of paint for the project.

C1 The film director demonstrated what can be achieved with limited resources.

C2 The artist's work is a testament to what can be accomplished with dedication and talent.

verb to be able to, have the ability to

Example Sentences

A1 I can swim.

A2 She can speak Spanish fluently.

B1 We can meet for lunch tomorrow.

B2 He can play the guitar really well.

C1 The company can expand its operations internationally.

C2 The scientists can conduct groundbreaking research in the field of medicine.

Examples of can in a Sentence

formal One can achieve success through hard work and dedication.

informal You can totally count on me to help you with your project.

slang I can't believe how awesome that concert was!

figurative A smile can light up a room just like the sun lights up the sky.

Grammatical Forms of can

past tense

could

plural

can

comparative

more able

superlative

most able

present tense

can

future tense

will be able

perfect tense

have been able

continuous tense

is able

singular

can

positive degree

able

infinitive

to be able

gerund

can

participle

being able

Origin and Evolution of can

First Known Use: 0825 year
Language of Origin: Old English
Story behind the word: The word 'can' originated from Old English 'cunnan' meaning 'to know, to be able'.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'can' evolved to not only mean 'to know, to be able', but also 'to be permitted' or 'to have the possibility'.