past tense could /k?d/ /?k?d/ existing tense for the two singular and plural can detrimental cannot /?kæn?t/ /k??n??t/ Brit /?kæn?t/ or cannot /?kænt/ Brit /?k??nt/ Britannica Dictionary definition of CAN [modal verb] 1  : to be able to (do anything) I do not want any aid. I'm able tomuch - (diploma adverb employed just before a noun phrase) fo