Cannot: meaning, definitions and examples

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cannot

 

[ ˈkænɒt ]

Verb / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Verb

ability

Used to express the fact that someone does not have the ability to do something.

Synonyms

incapable of, not able to, unable to

Examples of usage

  • I cannot swim.
  • She cannot speak French.
  • We cannot attend the party.
Context #2 | Noun

can't

A negative form of 'can', used to indicate inability or impossibility.

Synonyms

incapable of, not able to, unable to

Examples of usage

  • I tried to lift the box, but I just can't.
  • We can't go on living like this.

Translations

Translations of the word "cannot" in other languages:

🇵🇹 não pode

🇮🇳 नहीं कर सकता

🇩🇪 kann nicht

🇮🇩 tidak bisa

🇺🇦 не може

🇵🇱 nie może

🇯🇵 できない

🇫🇷 ne peut pas

🇪🇸 no puede

🇹🇷 yapamaz

🇰🇷 할 수 없다

🇸🇦 لا يستطيع

🇨🇿 nemůže

🇸🇰 nemôže

🇨🇳 不能

🇸🇮 ne more

🇮🇸 getur ekki

🇰🇿 жасай алмайды

🇬🇪 ვერ შეძლებს

🇦🇿 bacarmır

🇲🇽 no puede

Etymology

The word 'cannot' originated from the combination of 'can' and 'not', forming the contraction 'can't'. Over time, 'cannot' became a common alternative spelling. The usage of 'cannot' has been traced back to the 14th century, evolving from Middle English. It has since become a widely accepted term in the English language, commonly used to express inability or impossibility.

See also: can, canal, cane, canine, caning, canister, canning, canopy, canteen, could.