cancel

/ˈkæn.səl/
verbIntermediate to stop or call off an event or plan
general

to stop or call off an event, plan, or reservation

The concert was canceled because of the rain.

The concert was stopped or called off due to rain.

I need to cancel my appointment with the doctor.

I need to stop or call off my appointment with the doctor.

💡

Commonly used for plans, events, or reservations.

general

to remove or delete something, such as a subscription or order

I canceled my gym membership online.

I removed or deleted my gym membership online.

She canceled the order because it was incorrect.

She removed or deleted the order because it was incorrect.

💡

Often used in digital or transactional contexts.

💻Technology
technical

to neutralize or counteract something, such as a sound or effect

The noise-canceling headphones canceled out the background noise.

The noise-canceling headphones neutralized or counteracted the background noise.

The software canceled the error in the system.

The software neutralized or counteracted the error in the system.

💡

Used in technical contexts, such as audio engineering or software.

Collocations

cancel a planto stop or call off a plancancel a subscriptionto remove or delete a subscriptioncancel an orderto remove or delete an ordercancel a flightto stop or call off a flightcancel a meetingto stop or call off a meeting

Related Phrases

cancel culturephrase
the practice of withdrawing support for public figures or companies after they have done or said something considered objectionable
cancel outphrasal verb
to neutralize or counteract something

💡Pro Tip

Common Usage

'Cancel' is often used in everyday language to refer to stopping or calling off plans, events, or reservations.

Technical Usage

In technical contexts, 'cancel' can mean to neutralize or counteract something, such as noise or an error.

Gold Rule

Correct Usage

Use 'cancel' to refer to stopping or calling off plans, events, or reservations. In technical contexts, it can mean to neutralize or counteract something.

📖Word Origin

From Old French 'canceler', from Latin 'cancelare', meaning 'to cross out'.

📝Usage Notes

The verb 'cancel' is commonly used in everyday language to refer to stopping or calling off plans, events, or reservations. It can also be used in technical contexts to refer to neutralizing or counteracting something.

Word Breakdown

can
to be able to
prefix
+
cel
to hide or conceal
root
English Dictionary