What is can?

Can has several meanings and uses. Here's a breakdown:

  • Ability: Can expresses the ability to do something. This is often the primary understanding of the word. For more on this, see Ability.

  • Possibility: It indicates that something is possible. Check out Possibility for more details.

  • Permission: Can be used to ask for or give permission, although "may" is often considered more formal. See Permission for related information.

  • Tin Container: Can also refer to a metal container, like a soup can. More details on this kind of Can.

  • Slang: In some slang contexts, "can" is short for "cannabis".