- pronunciation:
- kaen
- features:
- Language Note
| part of speech: |
verb |
| inflections: |
can, could |
| definition 1: |
to be able to; have the ability to.
She can play the piano.- similar words:
- know
|
| definition 2: |
to have the power or right to.
Only the boss can hire and fire employees. |
| definition 3: |
to have permission to do something.
Can I go outside now?You can't smoke inside the restaurant. |
| definition 4: |
to have the possibility of happening or of being a certain way.
It can snow even in late spring in this area.That man can't be her father. He's much too young. |
|
|
Nowadays, it is very common to use
can with the meaning of "to have permission to do something," but some people feel that only
may should be used for that meaning. They feel that
can should only be used to describe ability to do something. When people accept the use of both
can and
may for the meaning of permission, they agree that
may sounds more formal than
can.