can't

contraction

ˈkant

ˈkänt

especially Southern ˈkānt

: can not

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of can't was in 1597

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Can't.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/can%27t. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

can't

ˈkant

ˈkȧnt

especially Southern ˈkānt

: can not

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Popular in Wordplay

9 Superb Owl Words

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

Popular Features

can't

contraction

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on can't

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

schadenfreude

Popular in Grammar & Usage