# can't

> English word · Verb · IPA /kɑːnt/ · frequency rank #154

## Definitions
1. Cannot (negative auxiliary); be unable to; not have the ability to (whether due to lacking relevant strength or skill or knowledge or supplies, or due to logical impossibility, etc).
2. To be forbidden to; to be not permitted to.
3. To be unwilling to; to not have the desire of; to don’t want to.

## Etymology
From can + -n't, since 1706 or earlier.

## Easily confused with
- **cat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/can-t-vs-cat)
- **cent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/can-t-vs-cent)
- **cast** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/can-t-vs-cast)
- **cant** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/can-t-vs-cant)
- **cart** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/can-t-vs-cart)
- **cunt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/can-t-vs-cunt)
- **cans** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/can-t-vs-cans)
- **cane** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/can-t-vs-cane)
- **capt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/can-t-vs-capt)
- **cont** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/can-t-vs-cont)
- **Cana** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/can-t-vs-cana)
- **candy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/can-t-vs-candy)
- **canal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/can-t-vs-canal)
- **canon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/can-t-vs-canon)
- **chant** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/can-t-vs-chant)
- **canoe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/can-t-vs-canoe)
- **carat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/can-t-vs-carat)
- **canes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/can-t-vs-canes)
- **canny** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/can-t-vs-canny)
- **canto** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/can-t-vs-canto)

## Common misspellings (7)
`acn't`, `ca'nt`, `can'tt`, `cann't`, `cant'`, `ccan't`, `cna't`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/can-t