past tense could /k?d/ /?k?d/ present tense for the two singular and plural can negative are unable to /?kæn?t/ /k??n??t/ Brit /?kæn?t/ or can not /?kænt/ Brit /?k??nt/ Britannica Dictionary definition of CAN [modal verb] 1  : to have the ability to (do anything) I don't have to have any support. I am able to: a typically cylindrical receptacle