cannot A1 Topic:Actions & Processes Also spelled can-not and cannut US /ˈkæ(n.)nɑt/ UK /ˈkænɒt/ See IPA manual Freq #594 Meanings 1 verb To be unable to do something. I cannot open the window because it is stuck. 2 verb To not be allowed or permitted to do something. You cannot park here during business hours. Thesaurus Synonyms can't Etymology AI details From Middle English can not, cannot, cannouȝt, etc. (compare Old English ne cann), equivalent to can + not. can not,cannot,cannouȝt Middle English View etymology graph -> Topics Actions & Processes External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # cannot **Type:** Word **Level:** A1 **Part of speech:** verb **IPA (US):** /ˈkæ(n.)nɑt/ **IPA (UK):** /ˈkænɒt/ **Frequency rank:** 594 ## Meanings 1. To be unable to do something. 2. To not be allowed or permitted to do something. ## Examples - I cannot open the window because it is stuck. - You cannot park here during business hours. ## Synonyms - can't ## Roots and Affixes - Root: can not,cannot,cannouȝt ## Etymology From Middle English can not, cannot, cannouȝt, etc. (compare Old English ne cann), equivalent to can + not. ## AI Etymology Cannot is from Middle English can not, cannot, cannouȝt, etc. (compare Old English ne cann), equivalent to can + not. The analysis is mainly morphological: the modern verbal form is built from the named base and affix. Important recorded forms include can not,cannot,cannouȝt (Middle English). Current senses include to be unable to do something and to not be allowed or permitted to do something. ## Topics - Actions & Processes markdown