kwee

Verb

can (third-person singular simple present can, present participle (by suppletion) able, simple past could, past participle (obsolete) couth)

1. (auxiliary, defective) To know how to.
   • She can speak English, French, and German.

   Antonyms:

   cannot, can't

2. (auxiliary, defective) To be able to.
   • Can you remember your fifth birthday?

   Synonyms:

   be able to

   Antonyms:

   cannot, can't

3. (auxiliary, defective, informal, modal) May; to be permitted or enabled to.
   • You can go outside and play when you're finished with your homework.

   Synonyms:

   may

   Antonyms:

   cannot, can't, may not, mayn't

4. (auxiliary, defective, modal) To have the potential to; to be possible for (someone or something) to.
   • Can it be Friday already?

   Antonyms:

   cannot, can't

5. (auxiliary, defective, informal, modal) Used to form requests, typically polite.
   • Can you please come over here?
6. (obsolete, transitive) To know.
   • ca.1360-1387, William Langland, Piers Plowman
     I can rimes of Robin Hood.

   Synonyms:

   cognize, grok, ken

See all 38 meanings of can