Also spelled can-not and cannut

US /ˈkæ(n.)nɑt/ UK /ˈkænɒt/
verb noun Freq #594

Meanings

  1. 1
    verb

    To be unable to do something.

    I cannot open the window because it is stuck.

  2. 2
    verb

    To not be allowed or permitted to do something.

    You cannot park here during business hours.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

Etymology

From Middle English can not, cannot, cannouȝt, etc. (compare Old English ne cann), equivalent to can + not.

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