Word Explorer

Can

/ˈkæn/

(auxiliary verb, defective) To know how to; to be able to.

Full Dictionary Entry

📖 Definitions of "Can"

verb

1
(auxiliary verb, defective) To know how to; to be able to.
"She can speak English, French, and German. I can play football. Can you remember your fifth birthday?"
2
(modal auxiliary verb, defective) May; to be permitted or enabled to.
"You can go outside and play when you're finished with your homework. Can I use your pen?"
3
(modal auxiliary verb, defective) To have the potential to; be possible.
"Animals can experience emotions."
4
(auxiliary verb, defective) Used with verbs of perception.
"Can you hear that?."

🔄 Synonyms of "Can"

30 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
sternnoun	Having a hardness and severity of nature or manner.
buttnoun	(countable) The larger or thicker end of something; the blunt end, in distinction from the sharp or narrow end
assnoun	(countable and uncountable) The buttocks.
dismissverb	(transitive) To discharge; to end the employment or service of.
bumnoun	(colloquial, sometimes derogatory) A homeless person, usually a man.
privynoun	With knowledge of; party to; let in on.
pratnoun	(UK, Ireland, Commonwealth, slang) A fool, contemptible person.
terminateverb	(transitive) To end something, especially when left in an incomplete state.
firenoun	(uncountable) A (usually self-sustaining) chemical reaction involving the bonding of oxygen with carbon or other fuel, with the production of heat and the presence of flame or smouldering.
bottomnoun	The lowest part of anything.
tailnoun	(anatomy) The caudal appendage of an animal that is attached to their posterior and near the anus or cloaca.
facilitynoun	The physical means or contrivances to make something (especially a public service) possible; the required equipment, infrastructure, location etc.
getverb	(transitive or ditransitive) To obtain; to acquire.
arsenoun	(Commonwealth, now vulgar) The buttocks or more specifically, the anus.
mightnoun	(auxiliary) simple past of may
pottynoun	A small, usually plastic, chamber pot used to toilet-train small children.
fundamentnoun	Foundation.
keisternoun	(slang) The anus or buttocks.
rearnoun	(transitive) To bring up to maturity, as offspring; to educate; to instruct; to foster.
sacknoun	A bag; especially a large bag of strong, coarse material for storage and handling of various commodities, such as potatoes, coal, coffee; or, a bag with handles used at a supermarket, a grocery sack; or, a small bag for small items, a satchel.
derrierenoun	Alternative spelling of derrière. [(chiefly humorous) Bottom, bum, backside.]
potnoun	A flat-bottomed vessel (usually metal) used for cooking food, possibly excluding saucepans (see usage notes).
johnnoun	(slang, US) A prostitute's client.
rumpnoun	The buttocks.
lavatorynoun	A vessel or fixture for washing, particularly:

↔️ Antonyms of "Can"

Words with the opposite meaning.

Word	Definition
engageverb	(transitive) To engross or hold the attention of; to keep busy or occupied.
employverb	To retain (someone) as an employee.
must notverb	Used to indicate that something is forbidden.
hireverb	(transitive) To employ; to obtain the services of (a person) in exchange for remuneration; to give someone a job.
may not	—

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Can"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
fundamentnoun	Foundation.
maynoun	(modal auxiliary verb, defective) To have permission to, be allowed. Used in granting permission and in questions to make polite requests.
mightnoun	(auxiliary) simple past of may
facilitynoun	The physical means or contrivances to make something (especially a public service) possible; the required equipment, infrastructure, location etc.
getverb	(transitive or ditransitive) To obtain; to acquire.
privynoun	With knowledge of; party to; let in on.
sternnoun	Having a hardness and severity of nature or manner.
behindnoun	At or in the rear or back part of something.
tail endnoun	(figurative) The last part of a period of time, event, or situation; the concluding or final part.
rear endnoun	(slang) The buttocks.
terminateverb	(transitive) To end something, especially when left in an incomplete state.
pratnoun	(UK, Ireland, Commonwealth, slang) A fool, contemptible person.
put upverb	(transitive) To place in a high location.
thronenoun	An impressive seat used by a monarch, often on a raised dais in a throne room and reserved for formal occasions.
dismissverb	(transitive) To discharge; to end the employment or service of.
give the axeverb	(informal, idiomatic) To fire (dismiss from employment).
give noticeverb	(idiomatic) To announce one's intent to leave a job; to inform an employer that one is leaving.
seatnoun	Something to be sat upon.
send awayverb	(idiomatic, transitive) To dismiss from one's presence.
force outverb	To cause something to be ejected