can
modal verb (ABILITY) strong /kæn/ weak /kən/Definition
A1 to be able to: Can you drive? She can speak four languages. Can you read that sign from this distance? The doctors are doing all that they can, but she's still not breathing properly. Do the best you can - I realize the circumstances are not ideal. If the party is awful, we can always leave (= that would be one possible solution to our problem). "She's really furious about it." "Can you blame her (= I'm not surprised)?"Possible and probable can do US informal › used to say that you can and will do something: "Will you mail this letter for me, please?" "Can do." "I need you to pick up the kids today." "Sorry, no can do (= no I can't)."Ready and willingUnwilling and reluctant
(Definition of can modal verb (ABILITY) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
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Synonyms and related words:
- always adverb (POSSIBILITY)
- anything's possible idiom
- arguably adverb
- as never before idiom
- avenue noun (POSSIBILITY)
- course noun (DIRECTION)
- it isn't over until the fat lady sings idiom
- liable adjective (LIKELY)
- likelihood noun
- likely adjective
- likely adverb
- maybe adverb
- probable adjective
- probably adverb
- prospective adjective
- sporting chance noun
- stand verb
- stranger things have happened idiom
- strong adjective (LIKELY)
- vista noun
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Possible and probable
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