past tense could /k?d/ /?k?d/ existing tense for both of those singular and plural can negative are not able to /?kæn?t/ /k??n??t/ Brit /?kæn?t/ or won't be able to /?kænt/ Brit /?k??nt/ Britannica Dictionary definition of CAN [modal verb] 1  : to be able to (do a thing) I do not need any enable. I canSMART Vocabulary: linked terms and phrases