cannot

can-not · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    The negative form of "can": expressing inability.

  2. 2.

    Expressing prohibition or that something is not permitted.

  3. 3.

    Expressing impossibility.

  4. 4.

    Expressing strong disbelief.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    cannot help — to be unable to avoid doing something
  • •
    cannot but — to have no choice but to
  • •
    cannot stand — to strongly dislike

Related words

Antonyms: be able to, can
See also: can, cant, could, unable
Synonyms: be incapable of, be unable to, cant

Etymology

From Middle English, a combination of "can" (to be able) and "not," written as one word. The contracted form "can't" is more common in informal speech.