can't - Meaning, Image, Examples & Etymology - Learn English Visually

can't

|can't|

🇺🇸

/kænt/

🇬🇧

/kɑːnt/

(can)

container or ability

Base Form	Plural	Present	3rd Person Sing.	Past	Past	Past Participle	Past Participle	Present Participle
can	cans	cans	cans	canned	could	canned	could	canning

Etymology

Etymology Information

'can't' originates from the contraction of 'cannot', where 'can' is derived from Old English 'cunnan', meaning 'to know how to'.

Historical Evolution

'cannot' transformed into the contraction 'can't' in modern English usage.

Meaning Changes

Initially, 'can' meant 'to know how to', but over time it evolved to express ability or permission.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Modal Verb 1

contraction of 'cannot', used to express inability or impossibility.

I can't swim.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

Idioms

Last updated: 2025/01/16 11:51