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Definition can in British English

can noun

[countable] noun
/kæn/
1

a closed metal container with round sides, for food or drinks. It is opened with a can opener. In British English the word tin is usually used if a can contains food, but not if it contains a drink

Example

empty beer cans

Example

a can of beans/soda

Synonyms and related words
1.1

a metal container with round sides and a lid, used especially for holding liquids

Example

There's a little paint left in the can.

Synonyms and related words
1.2

spray can

Example

a can of insect repellent

Synonyms and related words
1.3

the amount of food, drink, paint etc that a metal container holds

Example

Add two cans of tomatoes to the sauce and stir.

Synonyms and related words
2

a prison

Synonyms and related words
3

a toilet

Synonyms and related words
4

to delay dealing with a serious problem in the hope that it will go away

Example

You can't solve a debt problem with more debt. European leaders are just kicking the can down the road.

Definition can in British English

Related Words

Words related to can:

a can of worms (phrase) a leopard can’t change its spots (phrase) an offer someone can’t refuse (phrase) as far as I (phrase) as fast as your legs can carry you (phrase) be able to do something (phrase) before you can blink (phrase) beggars can’t be choosers (phrase) can (modal verb) can (noun) can (verb) can do something in your sleep (phrase) can I get (phrase) can ill afford (to do) something (phrase) can it (phrase) can live with something (phrase) can opener (noun) can take a joke (phrase) can take something or leave it (phrase) can you beat that/it? (phrase) can’t (short form) can’t abide something (phrase) can’t be fagged (to do something) (phrase) can’t begin to etc (phrase) can’t believe your (phrase) can’t believe your luck (phrase) can’t bring yourself to do something (phrase) can’t face something (phrase) can’t get enough of something (phrase) can’t hear yourself think (phrase) can’t say fairer than that (phrase) can’t stick (phrase) can’t take your eyes off (phrase) can’t think straight (phrase) can’t/don’t believe it (phrase) can-can (noun) can-do (adjective) can/could I interest you in something (phrase) help something (phrase) very well (phrase) carry the can (phrase) etc someone ever (phrase) garbage can (noun) how someone (do something)? (phrase) I can tell you (phrase) I can’t hear myself think (phrase) I can’t tell you (phrase) (I) can’t say fairer than that (phrase) can only guess (phrase) if you can call it (phrase) if you can’t beat ’em join ’em (phrase) if you can’t the heat (get out of the kitchen) (phrase) in the can (phrase) I remind you... (phrase) minimal pair (noun) no can do (phrase) no more I (phrase) not trust someone as far as you can throw them () see you can do something (phrase) see what you can do (phrase) someone can do no wrong (phrase) someone can do something blindfold (phrase) someone can only do something (phrase) someone can stick something (phrase) someone can whistle for something (phrase) someone can’t be bothered (phrase) someone can’t do something for toffee (phrase) someone can’t even boil an egg (phrase) someone can’t lose (phrase) someone can’t say (something) (phrase) someone can’t see the wood for the trees (phrase) someone can’t stand (phrase) someone can’t stand to do something (phrase) someone (phrase) something wait (phrase) spray can (noun) the best (something) that money can buy (phrase) trash can (noun) try to run before you can walk (phrase) watering can (noun) what do/can you expect? (phrase) what/who/where can...? (phrase) who can say? (phrase) you can bet (phrase) you can count something on (the fingers of) one hand (phrase) you can guess (phrase) you can say that again (phrase) you can’t be too careful (phrase) you can’t go wrong (phrase) you can’t keep a good down (phrase) you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs (phrase) you can’t please everyone (phrase) you can’t take it with you (phrase) you can’t take someone anywhere (phrase) you can’t teach an old dog new tricks (phrase) you can’t win (phrase) you never can tell (phrase)