ENGLISH
REFERENCE

canon

n. C / U
C1 Advanced US //ˈkænən// UK //kˈænən// canon Archaic Slang

n. the collection of books, movies, or stories that are officially accepted as part of a series. You use this when talking about what 'really' happened in a fictional world like Star Wars or Sherlock Holmes.

n. the body of works, events, or characters considered to be authentic or official within a specific fictional universe or academic field. Often used to distinguish original source material from fan-made content or non-official adaptations.


SIMPLE

In the original canon, the two characters never actually meet.

CONTEXTUAL

Fans often debate whether the new television series should be considered part of the official canon or a separate timeline.

COMPLEX

The author's decision to release a prequel significantly altered the established canon, forcing scholars to re-evaluate the protagonist's early motivations in light of the new information.

Synonyms
Usage

Often used with the definite article ('the canon') when referring to a specific set of works; can be used as a modifier before another noun.

Pitfall

The movie is not in the cannon.The movie is not in the canon.Learners often confuse 'canon' (official works) with 'cannon' (the large weapon).

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