# cancel

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈkæn.sl̩/ · frequency rank #5,300

## Definitions
1. To cross out something with lines etc.
2. To invalidate or annul something.
3. To mark something (such as a used postage stamp) so that it can't be reused.
4. To offset or equalize something.
5. To remove a common factor from both the numerator and denominator of a fraction, or from both sides of an equation.
6. To stop production of a programme.
7. To suppress or omit; to strike out, as matter in type.
8. To shut out, as with a railing or with latticework; to exclude.
9. To kill.
10. To cease to provide financial or moral support to (someone deemed unacceptable); to disinvite. Compare cancel culture.

## Etymology
From Middle English cancellen, from Anglo-Norman canceler (“to cross out with lines”) (modern French chanceler (“to stagger, sway”)), from Old French canceler, from Latin cancellō (“to make resemble a lattice”), from cancellus (“a railing or lattice”), diminutive of cancer (“a lattice”).

## Easily confused with
- **cane** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cancel-vs-cane)
- **canoe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cancel-vs-canoe)
- **canes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cancel-vs-canes)
- **chance** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cancel-vs-chance)
- **cancer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cancel-vs-cancer)
- **canned** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cancel-vs-canned)
- **cartel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cancel-vs-cartel)
- **Cannes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cancel-vs-cannes)
- **Chanel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cancel-vs-chanel)
- **Carmel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cancel-vs-carmel)
- **canoes** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cancel-vs-canoes)
- **canter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cancel-vs-canter)
- **Cassel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cancel-vs-cassel)
- **channel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cancel-vs-channel)
- **chances** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cancel-vs-chances)
- **conceal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cancel-vs-conceal)
- **chancel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cancel-vs-chancel)
- **canal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/canal-vs-cancel)
- **camel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/camel-vs-cancel)

## Common misspellings (9)
`acncel`, `cacnel`, `canccel`, `cancell`, `cancle`, `canecl`, `canncel`, `ccancel`, `cnacel`

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