1
: the expression or repetition of conventional or trite opinions or sentiments
especially
: the insincere use of pious words
the cant of hypocrites
2
: a set or stock phrase
3
a
: the private language of the underworld
the cant of thieves
b
c
obsolete
: the phraseology peculiar to a religious class or sect
4
: affected singsong or whining speech
a beggar's cant
canted; canting; cants
1
: to talk hypocritically
canted about brotherly love
2
: to speak in cant or jargon
The thieves were canting among themselves.
3
: to talk or beg in a whining or singsong manner
bade me cant and whine in another place—
Samuel Johnson
Samuel Johnson
canted; canting; cants
1
a
: an oblique or slanting surface
the cant of a riverbank
b
: inclination, slope
the cant of a gun barrel
2
: an external angle (as of a building)
3
: a log with one or more squared sides
1
: having canted corners or sides
a cant molding
2
: inclined sense 2
a cant buttress
Synonyms
Noun (1)
Verb (2)
Noun (2)
Adjective (1)
Examples of cant in a Sentence
Noun (1)
many accused the evangelist of cant, since his lavish lifestyle seemed to bear little resemblance to what he was preaching
the colorful cant used by movie producers and publicity agents in Hollywood
Verb (2)
carefully canted the ladder against the wall
Noun (2)
a steep cant of the riverbank at that turn in the river
Adjective (1)
the cant buttresses on the interior walls are made of solid oak
Recent Examples on the Web
Rhoda Feng, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024
The top deck solar array is canted up 30 degrees to catch the low Sun angle near the south pole of the Moon.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 3 Oct. 2023
The boot excels when bombing groomers and making quick turns in the trees thanks to a canting system built from racing experience that minimizes interaction between the cuff and shell.
—Douglas Schnitzspahn, Travel + Leisure, 21 Dec. 2023
Her turned face on the pillow, canted slightly up, didn’t look at the camera.
—Kathleen Alcott, Harper's Magazine, 8 Apr. 2022
With the front wheels canted like the head of a curious dog, the Mach 1 enjoys precise turn-in and averages a 1.13-g ride through Turn 1.
—Carlos Lago, Car and Driver, 1 Aug. 2023
The spring can be tightened or loosened to throw targets from 30 to 95 yards and the trap can be tilted up and down and canted for a wide variety of presentations.
—Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 24 May 2023
Interior styling is similar to the Tonale's too, with the primary controls and infotainment system slightly canted toward the driver and a tall shift lever for the automatic transmission positioned on the center console.
—Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 23 Mar. 2023
Combined with knowledge of the orientation of the spacecraft, this allows for a fantastically detailed description of the impact: The spacecraft approached the asteroid with its solar arrays canted slightly toward the surface.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 1 Mar. 2023
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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about these examples.
Verb
While Cahan’s novella canted toward Jake’s perspective, Rothstein’s play is an unabashedly feminist-forward retelling.
—Rhoda Feng, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024
The top deck solar array is canted up 30 degrees to catch the low Sun angle near the south pole of the Moon.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 3 Oct. 2023
The boot excels when bombing groomers and making quick turns in the trees thanks to a canting system built from racing experience that minimizes interaction between the cuff and shell.
—Douglas Schnitzspahn, Travel + Leisure, 21 Dec. 2023
Her turned face on the pillow, canted slightly up, didn’t look at the camera.
—Kathleen Alcott, Harper's Magazine, 8 Apr. 2022
With the front wheels canted like the head of a curious dog, the Mach 1 enjoys precise turn-in and averages a 1.13-g ride through Turn 1.
—Carlos Lago, Car and Driver, 1 Aug. 2023
The spring can be tightened or loosened to throw targets from 30 to 95 yards and the trap can be tilted up and down and canted for a wide variety of presentations.
—Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 24 May 2023
Interior styling is similar to the Tonale's too, with the primary controls and infotainment system slightly canted toward the driver and a tall shift lever for the automatic transmission positioned on the center console.
—Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 23 Mar. 2023
Combined with knowledge of the orientation of the spacecraft, this allows for a fantastically detailed description of the impact: The spacecraft approached the asteroid with its solar arrays canted slightly toward the surface.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 1 Mar. 2023
Articles Related to cant
Dictionary Entries Near cant
Cite this Entry
“Cant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cant. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cant
1 of 3 noun1
: a slanting surface
cant
2 of 3 verb
: to give a slant to
cant
3 of 3 noun1
a
: argot
b
2
: insincere speech
Etymology
Noun
Middle English cant "corner," from early Dutch cant or early French cant, both meaning "edge, corner," from Latin canthus, cantus "iron rim on a wheel," perhaps of Celtic origin
Noun
probably derived from an early French dialect word canter "to tell," from Latin cantare "to sing," from canere "to sing" — related to cantata, chant, chantey
Medical Definition
cant
noun
: an oblique or slanting surface
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