previous tense could /k?d/ /?k?d/ existing tense for equally singular and plural can detrimental can't /?kæn?t/ /k??n??t/ Brit /?kæn?t/ or can not /?kænt/ Brit /?k??nt/ Britannica Dictionary definition of CAN [modal verb] 1  : to be able to (do a little something) I do not