can
verb (transitive)
UK/kæn/US/kæn/
(Informal, chiefly US) To dismiss someone from a job; to fire or sack.
Example Sentences
They had to can three employees to cut costs.
The new manager threatened to can anyone coming in late.
She was afraid they’d can her if she didn’t meet the sales target.
The company will can staff who violate the code of conduct repeatedly.
His boss decided to can him after repeated warnings about his poor performance.
Rumors spread that the board might can the CEO over the financial scandal.
When the team’s performance continued to decline, the owners decided to can the head coach, believing a change in leadership was necessary to revive their championship hopes.
He dreaded walking into the office that day, suspecting they might can him, but he was determined to face the situation directly and take responsibility for the project’s setbacks.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
noun (countable)
UK/kæn/US/kæn/
A sealed container for drinks or food, usually made of metal (also called a tin in some regions).
Example Sentences
He opened a can of soda while waiting for the bus.
Don’t forget to recycle the empty can after you finish drinking.
We packed cans of soup and vegetables for the camping trip.
There’s a can of paint in the garage if you need to do touch-ups.
She found a vintage can from the 1950s at the antique shop.
Storing food in a can helps preserve it for extended periods.
Lining the pantry shelves were dozens of neatly labeled cans, ensuring the family would have enough supplies to last through the winter months if unexpected weather hit.
After the food drive, the volunteers sorted the donated cans by type and expiration date, creating an organized system for easy distribution to those in need.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
Indicates ability, permission, or possibility in concise form.This term functions primarily as a modal verb to express different shades of ability, permission, and possibility. You might say, “I can swim,” meaning you have the skill to swim, or “Can I leave early?” to politely request permission. In other scenarios, it introduces possibilities: “It can get quite cold here in winter.” When using it in questions—e.g., “Can you help me?”—you ask about the listener’s willingness or capability. In negative statements—“I can’t attend the party”—it conveys inability or refusal of permission. Its straightforward nature keeps communication direct: one short word that either affirms what is possible (“We can solve this”), questions capacity or approval (“Can we do that?”), or negates it (“We can’t finish on time”). For polite requests, some speakers prefer “could” as a slightly more formal or softer expression, but “can” is perfectly acceptable in most casual or neutral contexts. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying who or what can do something and under what conditions. Pair it with relevant context or clarifying details so your meaning stands out. Proper usage of “can” keeps your statements succinct, whether you’re granting permission, discussing ability, or opening up options.
Alternatives
If you’d like to vary how you express ability or permission, several options are at your disposal. “Be able to” works in both spoken and written contexts, and although slightly more formal, it conveys a similar sense of capability (“I am able to finish the report by Monday”). “Could” often serves as the past tense of “can,” but also introduces a more tentative or polite tone for requests or hypotheticals (“Could you pass the salt, please?”). When discussing possibility, “may” and “might” fit well—“You may qualify for a discount,” or “It might rain this afternoon”—both suggesting a level of uncertainty or formal permission. If you need to highlight someone's skill level, phrases such as “capable of” or “have the capacity to” can supply a more descriptive, academic vibe. Each alternative carries its own shade of meaning, so choose carefully to match formality, tense, and nuance. By mixing in these synonyms, you prevent repetitive wording and tailor your statement exactly to your intention—whether to request politely, speculate about a future event, or assert someone’s expertise in a particular domain.
Writing
When writing, “can” often appears in instructions, explanations, or formal documents to outline what is possible or allowed. For instance, in user manuals, “You can adjust the settings by clicking the gear icon” provides straightforward guidance. In academic or professional articles, this modal verb helps indicate general truths or established capabilities, such as “This system can process thousands of data entries per second.” Keep in mind that overusing “can” might diminish variety in your text and make every statement sound too similar. Consider blending synonyms like “may,” “might,” or “could” to indicate nuances of possibility or permission. Furthermore, ensure your usage aligns with context: “can” is perfectly suited for direct clarity—e.g., “You can submit your proposal anytime before Friday.” For stronger impact, pair it with precise details: “You can maximize project efficiency by scheduling tasks in advance.” Where necessary, revise passive or indirect constructions into active statements featuring “can,” helping you engage readers more immediately. Balancing directness and variety ensures your writing remains both accessible and dynamic—readers appreciate an immediate indication of what is doable or permissible while still enjoying an engaging verbal flow.
Casual Conversation
In everyday talk, “can” is a go-to for asking about ability, seeking permission, or sharing what’s possible. You’ll often hear phrases like “Can you drive me to the store?” or “I can’t believe it’s already the weekend!”—each underscoring convenience and quick communication. If you need to find out whether someone is free, you might ask, “Can you join us tonight?” and get a simple yes or no. The negative form, “can’t,” quickly sets a limit: “I can’t make it today.” It also pops up in easygoing suggestions: “We can hang out at my place if you want.” Because of its simplicity, “can” blends well with casual conversation, letting you get straight to the point. If you’d like to soften your tone or sound more polite, “could” works as well—“Could you open the window, please?”—but “can” remains entirely acceptable among friends and family. Just remember to add context when needed, so the person you’re talking to understands what you want or whether you truly have the skill, desire, or permission to do something. With “can,” you get a directness that helps keep everyday exchanges short, sweet, and to the point.
Etymology
Deriving from Old English “cunnan,” meaning “to know” or “to be able,” this word shared a close conceptual link with knowledge and skill. In earlier Germanic languages, related forms signified various facets of understanding or competence, gradually evolving into the modern sense of having the power or permission to act. Over centuries, usage expanded from a basic statement of ability (“He can read”) to an all-encompassing marker for possibility (“It can happen”) and social or institutional permission (“You can leave now”). As language standardized, “can” stood out for its brevity and clarity, providing English speakers with a quick, effective way to discuss potential actions or grant approval. Even as alternative constructions like “be able to” gained traction, “can” remains the dominant choice for swift, conversational expressions of ability or consent. Its etymological journey underscores how tightly bound the notions of knowledge, skill, and possibility are in human communication. A single syllable thus carries centuries of linguistic evolution, continuing to serve as a primary tool for expressing what’s doable, permissible, or just might happen.
