canned

adjective

ˈkand 

1

: preserved in a sealed can or jar

canned peaches

canned pumpkin

2

a

: prepared or recorded in advance

especially : prepared in standardized form for nonspecific use or wide distribution

canned laughter

canned music

b

: lacking originality or individuality as if mass-produced

a canned speech

3

slang : drunk sense 1a

Synonyms

• apish
• emulative
• epigonic
• epigonous
• formulaic
• imitative
• mimetic
• mimic
• slavish
• unoriginal

Examples of canned in a Sentence

The salesperson kept using the same canned phrases.

there's a canned quality to the screenplay that reminds you of countless other action movies

Recent Examples on the Web

This canned cocktail lured me in with promises of gin, cucumber, lemon and seltzer. —Felicia Campbell, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024

This year, attendees will get to explore the Harley-Davidson Museum after-hours while sipping on different kinds of wine from dozens of wineries—as well as canned cocktails and spirits—and dancing to live music. —Cailey Gleeson, Journal Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2024

Get The Recipe 10 of 25 Sweet Potato Bundt Cake Unlike canned pumpkin, sweet potato puree gives this bundt cake extra flavor. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2024

Because canned sardines are high in sodium and are a high-purine food, they should only be eaten in moderation for people with high blood pressure, diabetes, gout, and kidney disease. —Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

canned

adjective

ˈkand 

1

: preserved in a sealed can or jar

canned peaches

2

a

: prepared or recorded in advance

especially : prepared in one form for ordinary use or wide distribution

canned laughter

b

: lacking originality as if mass-produced

a canned speech