# cane

> English word · Noun · IPA /keɪn/ · frequency rank #10,175

## Definitions
1. A plant with simple stems, like bamboo or sugar cane, or the stem thereof:
2. A plant with simple stems, like bamboo or sugar cane, or the stem thereof:
3. A plant with simple stems, like bamboo or sugar cane, or the stem thereof:
4. A plant with simple stems, like bamboo or sugar cane, or the stem thereof:
5. The stem of such a plant adapted for use as a tool:
6. The stem of such a plant adapted for use as a tool:
7. The stem of such a plant adapted for use as a tool:
8. A rod-shaped tool or device, resembling the stem of the plant:
9. A rod-shaped tool or device, resembling the stem of the plant:
10. A rod-shaped tool or device, resembling the stem of the plant:
11. Split rattan, as used in wickerwork and basketry.
12. A local European measure of length; the canna.

## Etymology
From Middle English cane, canne, from Old French cane (“sugar cane”), from Latin canna (“reed”), from Ancient Greek κάννα (kánna), from Akkadian 𒄀 (qanû, “reed”), from Sumerian 𒄀𒈾 (gi.na). Doublet of canna and kaneh. Related to channel and canal.

## Easily confused with
- **CE** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cane-vs-ce)
- **car** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cane-vs-car)
- **cat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cane-vs-cat)
- **cap** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cane-vs-cap)
- **CNN** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cane-vs-cnn)
- **con** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cane-vs-con)
- **cue** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cane-vs-cue)
- **cas** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cane-vs-cas)
- **che** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cane-vs-che)
- **Cao** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cane-vs-cao)
- **Coe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cane-vs-coe)
- **CNS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cane-vs-cns)
- **cee** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cane-vs-cee)
- **CNC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cane-vs-cnc)
- **CME** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cane-vs-cme)
- **CTE** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cane-vs-cte)
- **CBE** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cane-vs-cbe)
- **Cdn** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cane-vs-cdn)
- **cay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cane-vs-cay)
- **CSE** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cane-vs-cse)

## Common misspellings (3)
`canne`, `ccane`, `cnae`

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