DictionaryAI

can't

verb
KANT/kænt/SayKAHNT/kɑːnt//kɐːnt/

3 meanings of can't

Practice

  1. 1
    not ableverb
    Not able to do something. It is the short form of cannot.

    I can't reach the top shelf without a chair.

    My little brother can't swim yet.

    Oppositecan

    Note
  2. 2
    not allowedverb
    Not allowed to do something.

    You can't use your phone during the test.

    Sorry, dogs can't come into the store.

    Oppositecan, must

    Note
  3. 3
    not trueverb
    Used to say that something is impossible, so it is not true.

    That can't be Sam at the door, because he's on vacation in Florida.

    You can't be hungry already. We just ate!

    Oppositemust, can

    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of can't apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It is can with -n't (not) added. People have used it since at least 1706.