can't

/kænt/

cannot

I can't come to the party tonight.

This means the speaker is unable to attend the party.

informal

A contraction of 'cannot', indicating inability or prohibition.

She can't swim very well.

She is not a strong swimmer.

You can't park here.

Parking is not allowed in this area.

Commonly used in spoken and informal written English.

Collocations

can't helpunable to stop oneself from doing somethingcan't standstrongly dislike

too lazy to do something

very excited about something

Use 'cannot' in formal writing and 'can't' in casual speech or writing.

In formal writing, avoid contractions like 'can't' and use 'cannot' instead.

A contraction of 'cannot', which itself comes from 'can' (Old English 'cunnan') and 'not'.

Used in informal contexts; 'cannot' is more formal.

can

ability or permission

root

not

suffix

English Dictionary