English Explanatory Dictionary

can is can

English dictionary entry

Meanings

phrase
  1. While something is possible or makes sense in theory, it may not be as straightforward or sensible as initially thought, or may prove to be less successful in practice.
  2. Used to reassure someone that something is definitely possible or doable, by reinforcing the definitiveness of a previous statement of can.

Pronunciation

/ˈkæn ɪz ˈkæn/ [ˈkʰɛn˦ ɪs˨ ˈkʰɛn˦] [- ˈkʰɛn˦˧] [- ˈkʰɛn˨˦]

Word forms

can is can

Etymology

See can (“fine, acceptable, possible”, Singlish, intransitive).

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