cannot

/ˈkæn.ɒt/

be unable to

She cannot swim very well.

She is not skilled at swimming.

general

To be unable to do something due to lack of ability, permission, or possibility.

He cannot lift this heavy box alone.

He lacks the strength to lift the box by himself.

We cannot leave until the meeting ends.

We are not allowed to depart before the meeting concludes.

Often used to express inability or prohibition.

Collocations

cannot helpto be unable to stop oneself from doing somethingcannot affordto lack the financial means for something

to be unable to stop oneself from doing something

'Cannot' is often shortened to 'can't' in casual conversation.

Use 'cannot' in formal writing and 'can't' in informal contexts.

From Middle English 'can not', from Old English 'cann' (can) + 'not'.

Often contracted to 'can't' in informal speech and writing.

can

to be able to

root

not

negation

suffix

English Dictionary