cant — cannot; to be unable to do something
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: cannot; to be unable to do something
Pronunciation (IPA): /kænt/
Example Sentences
- I can't believe you ate my entire pizza without asking!
- The politician's speech was full of cant about helping the poor.
- She can't resist buying another pair of shoes every week.
cant
VERB[/kænt/]
cannot; to be unable to do something
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🎤Pronunciation
🇺🇸 US/kænt/
🇬🇧 UK/kɑːnt/
🌳Etymology
Rootcant
Origin
From Middle English 'canne' or 'can', derived from Old English 'cunnan' meaning 'to know' or 'be able to'. The negative form 'cant' developed from the contraction of 'can' + 'not'.
Breakdown
can (to be able) + -not (negation) = cannot, contracted to cant
🎵Rhyme
ant
grant
plant
slant
🔗Collocations
can't help
can't stand
can't afford
political cant
religious cant
cant angle
📝Examples
😄 Fun example
“I can't believe you ate my entire pizza without asking!”
“The politician's speech was full of cant about helping the poor.”
😄 Fun example
“She can't resist buying another pair of shoes every week.”
“The cant of the ship's deck made walking difficult.”
📚Related Words
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