can't

Etymology
, since 1706 or earlier.

Verb

 * 1) Cannot (negative auxiliary ); is unable to; does not have the ability to.
 * 2) Is forbidden to; is not permitted to.
 * 3) Often followed by be: is logically impossible.
 * 1) Is forbidden to; is not permitted to.
 * 2) Often followed by be: is logically impossible.
 * 1) Often followed by be: is logically impossible.
 * 1) Often followed by be: is logically impossible.
 * 1) Often followed by be: is logically impossible.

Usage notes

 * Although may and can are synonyms, can’t and mayn’t (including their uncontracted forms) are not, except when used interrogatively. “You can’t have a console” means you must not have a console, but “you mayn’t have a console” means you are not guaranteed to have a console, with the implication that you still may if you do.
 * Some US dialects that glottalize the final /t/ in can’t, in order to differentiate can’t from can, pronounce can as even when stressed.

Translations

 * For other translations, see and.