English Explanatory Dictionary

cannot

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. Can not; be unable to (whether due to physical inability, logical impossibility, etc).
  2. Be forbidden or not permitted to
noun
  1. Something that cannot be done.
  2. A person who cannot do (something).

Pronunciation

/ˈkænɒt/ /kænˈɒt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Back ache-cannot.wav /ˈkæ(n.)nɑt/ /ˈkɛ(n.)nɑt/ /kə(n)ˈnɑt/ en-us-cannot.ogg /kəˈnɑt/ /kəˈnɔʈ/

Word forms

cannot cannet cannit can not cannots

Etymology

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

Synonyms

can't
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