What does can mean?
Can is one of the most frequently used verbs in English, serving primarily as a modal auxiliary. It expresses ability ('I can swim'), possibility ('It can get very cold here'), and, especially informally, permission ('You can go now'). Because modals lack ordinary inflections, it forms negatives and questions with 'not' and subject–verb inversion rather than with '-s' or '-ed' endings. Separately, can functions as a noun denoting a cylindrical metal container, common in phrases like 'a can of beans', and as an ordinary verb meaning to preserve food by sealing it in cans. The word derives from Old English 'cunnan', meaning 'to know or know how', making it a cousin of 'cunning' and 'ken'. Its blend of grammatical indispensability and everyday physical concreteness makes it both one of the hardest working words in the language and one of its most versatile.
Used to indicate ability, capability, possibility, or (informally) permission; followed by the bare infinitive of another verb.
"I can finish the report by Friday."
Modals have no third-person -s, no infinitive, and no participles; the past equivalent is 'could' or 'was/were able to'.
A cylindrical metal container, usually with a lid, used for storing or preserving food and drink.
"He opened a can of soup for lunch."
In British English a sealed food container is often called a 'tin'; 'can' remains standard for drinks.
To seal food or other contents in an airtight can or jar for preservation.
"Every autumn she cans tomatoes from her garden."
Applies to the noun sense only; the modal verb has no plural form.
"We recycled a whole bag of aluminum cans after the party."
The same little word lets you open a soda and declare you can run a marathon — few words work as hard as 'can'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of can
The modal verb 'can' descends from Old English 'cunnan', meaning 'to know, know how to', which gives English related words such as 'cunning', 'canny', and Scots 'ken'. Its shift from expressing knowledge toward expressing ability and possibility took place gradually over the Middle English period. The noun 'can', meaning a container, is a separate borrowing, entering Middle English from Old Norse or Low German sources related to vessels and drinking cups. The verb sense meaning 'to put into cans' arose in the 19th century alongside commercial food canning.
Related word forms
How can is actually used
In questions and negative statements about permission, 'may' is more formal than 'can': 'May I come in?' sounds politer than 'Can I come in?'. The unstressed pronunciation /kən/ is normal in running speech; /kæn/ appears when stressed. In American English, 'can' also means a metal container, whereas British English more often uses 'tin' for food cans.
Easily confused with can
'May' asks for or grants permission in formal contexts, while 'can' expresses ability or informal permission.
'Canon' is an established rule, body of works, or clergy member, whereas 'can' is a modal verb or a container.