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Cancel - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

To cancel means to decide that something planned will not happen or to stop it from continuing. It can also mean to withdraw support or approval, as in canceling a subscription or an event.

cancel

/ˈkænsəl/ /ˈkænsəl/

Definition:

To decide that something planned will not happen or no longer be valid.

Synonyms:

abort, revoke, annul, terminate

Part of Speech:

verb, noun

Antonyms:

confirm, approve

Common Collocations:

cancel a subscription, cancel plans, cancel an order, cancel a meeting

Derivatives:

cancellation, canceled (US), cancelled (UK)

Usage Tips:

Use "cancel" for events or agreements; "canceled" (US) and "cancelled" (UK) are spelling variants of the past tense.

Common Phrases:

cancel out, cancel culture, hit the cancel button

Etymology:

From Latin *cancellare* ("to make like a lattice"), via Old French *canceler*.

Examples:

  • 1. She had to cancel her trip due to bad weather.
  • 2. The concert was canceled at the last minute.
  • 3. You can cancel your subscription anytime online.
  • 4. They decided to cancel the meeting and reschedule it.
  • 5. If you don’t confirm, the system will automatically cancel your reservation.

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