# can

/ˈkæn/ (US) · /kˈæn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/can
Updated: 2026-08-01

## Senses

### 1. ability

modal verb · CEFR A1

to be able to do something or know how to do it.

For teachers: expresses physical or mental ability or the knowledge required to perform an action.

- She can speak three languages fluently because she grew up in a bilingual home.
- While many candidates can perform the basic tasks, we need someone who can manage complex data sets without supervision.

Usage: a modal auxiliary verb followed by the bare infinitive without 'to'

### 2. permission

modal verb · CEFR A1

to have permission to do something.

For teachers: used to request or grant permission; often interchangeable with 'may' in informal contexts.

- Can I open the window? It is getting a bit warm in here.
- You can leave your luggage at the reception desk if your room is not ready yet.

Teaching tip: In formal writing, 'may' is often preferred for permission, but 'can' is the standard choice in modern spoken English.

### 3. possibility

modal verb · CEFR A2

used to say that something is possible.

For teachers: expresses theoretical or logical possibility.

- It can get very cold in the mountains, even during the summer.
- The local weather can be quite unpredictable, so it is wise to carry an umbrella regardless of the forecast.

### 4. metal container

noun · CEFR A2

a metal container for food or drink.

For teachers: a cylindrical metal container, typically made of aluminium or tin-plated steel, used for preserving food or holding liquids.

- He opened a can of soup for lunch because he was in a hurry.
- The recycling centre accepts aluminium drink cans but requires all glass bottles to be sorted separately.

Teaching tip: In British English, 'tin' is more common for food (a tin of beans), while 'can' is used for drinks (a can of soda).

### 5. to preserve food

verb · CEFR B2

to put food into metal or glass containers to keep it fresh for a long time.

For teachers: to preserve food by sealing it in airtight cans or jars.

- Every autumn, they can tomatoes from their garden to use during the winter.
- The family spent the weekend canning peaches and making jam to stock their pantry for the coming year.

Usage: transitive verb

### 6. to fire someone

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · American English

to tell someone they no longer have a job.

For teachers: to dismiss an employee from their position, usually due to poor performance or misconduct.

- He got canned after he was caught sleeping at his desk for the third time.
- The manager decided to can the entire marketing team after the disastrous launch of the new product line.

Usage: transitive verb

Teaching tip: This is a very direct and informal way to describe losing a job; avoid using it in professional HR documents.

### 7. prison

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang

a slang word for jail or prison.

For teachers: a slang term for a place of confinement or incarceration.

- He spent two nights in the can before his lawyer got him out.
- After the robbery went wrong, the getaway driver ended up spending five years in the can.

Usage: usually used with 'the'

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.