ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cancelled

adj.
US //ˈkænsəɫd// UK //kˈænsəld// can·celled
  1. 1 no longer happening (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    describes an event or plan that is not going to take place.

    denoting a scheduled event, appointment, or project that has been officially terminated or retracted.

    Example

    I went to the theater, but a sign on the door said the show was cancelled.

    Example

    The project remained in a cancelled state for months before the board decided to reallocate the remaining budget to other departments.

    Usage

    Often used as a predicative adjective after the verb 'to be'.
  2. 2 socially rejected (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Slang

    describes a famous person who has lost their job or popularity because they said or did something offensive.

    referring to a person or entity subjected to 'cancel culture', involving widespread social rejection and the withdrawal of support.

    Example

    The actor was cancelled by fans after his old, offensive comments were found online.

    Example

    Public figures often fear being cancelled over a single misunderstood statement, leading to a significant shift in how they manage their social media presence.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a modern usage related to 'cancel culture'; it is common in social media and news but may be seen as too informal for academic writing.
    • deplatformed
    • shunned
    • ostracized
Show 1 more senseShow fewer
  1. 3 marked as used (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    describes a stamp or ticket that has been marked so it cannot be used again.

    pertaining to a postage stamp or official document that has been defaced or marked to prevent reuse.

    Example

    The collector was looking for rare stamps that had not been cancelled.

    Example

    The clerk ensured each voucher was properly cancelled with a heavy ink stamp to prevent any fraudulent attempts at double-redemption.

© 2026 English Reference