earlier tense could /k?d/ /?k?d/ existing tense for equally singular and plural can negative simply cannot /?kæn?t/ /k??n??t/ Brit /?kæn?t/ or cannot /?kænt/ Brit /?k??nt/ Britannica Dictionary definition of CAN [modal verb] one  : to have the ability to (do something) I don't want any assistance. I'm able to: a generally cylindrical receptacle