51Թ

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cannot

[ kan-ot, ka-not, kuh- ]

verb

  1. a form of can not.


cannot

/ kæˈnɒt; ˈkænɒt /

verb

  1. an auxiliary verb expressing incapacity, inability, withholding permission, etc; can not
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Spelling Note

Cannot is sometimes also spelled can not. The one-word spelling is by far the more common: Interest rates simply cannot continue at their present level. The contraction can't is most common in speech and informal writing.
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of cannot1

A Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. cannot but, have no alternative but to:

    We cannot but choose otherwise.

More idioms and phrases containing cannot

see under can't .
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Compare Meanings

How does cannot compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“I cannot imagine that he is not going to build on the opening of the doors of mercy, and welcome all people, including our LGBTQ+ siblings,” Mckellar said.

From

Tweedy and Bray will have limited authority over the estate and cannot distribute any money, the BBC reported after reviewing probate documents.

From

“We cannot and will not support a final reconciliation bill that includes any reduction in Medicaid coverage for vulnerable populations,” the letter read, adding that the lawmakers support reforming the program.

From

"A federal court cannot force Apple to permanently give away free access to its products and services, including intellectual property," the company's lawyers wrote.

From

Try not to remain on that pedestal where people cannot reach you, show your humanity.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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cannonryThose who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it