# tinned

/ˈtɪnd/ (US) · /tˈɪnd/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tinned
Updated: 2026-10-13

## Definition

describes food that is sealed in a metal container to keep it fresh for a long time. You might use this word for things like beans, soup, or fish.

For teachers: preserved or packed in a sealed metal can. Primarily used in British English, whereas American English prefers 'canned'.

## Examples

- I always keep some tinned tomatoes in the kitchen cupboard.
- During the storm, the family relied on their supply of tinned goods because the electricity was out for three days.
- While fresh produce is often preferred for its nutritional profile, tinned vegetables provide a cost-effective and shelf-stable alternative for households with limited access to regular markets.

## Synonyms

canned

## Antonyms

fresh

## Pitfalls

- Not "a tin of tomatoes soup" but "a tin of tomato soup" — When using 'tin' as a container noun, the following noun should be singular or uncountable, not the adjective form 'tinned'.

## Usage notes

- Typically used attributively before a noun; functions as a participial adjective derived from the verb 'tin'.

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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.