previous tense could /k?d/ /?k?d/ current tense for both of those singular and plural can destructive simply 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 a little something) I do not need any assistance. I'm able toIf just about every response