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cancel

(transitive) To cross out something with lines etc.

ˈkæn.sl̩Current157 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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3 definitions
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Seen in the wild
10 citations · last seen May 2026

Seen in the wild

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#1·Apr 26, 2026

(transitive) To cross out something with lines etc.

He cancelled his order on their website.
Origin: From , from (modern ), from , from , from a railing or lattice, diminutive of a lattice. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Cluster: drugs
Heard in the wild
  • “I'm so old I remember @jamellebouie.net mocking people for discussing how Trump will cancel the midterms. IIRC the word "unserious" was deployed. I'm so tired of being lectured by people who have way too much confidence/complacency/comfort. Yes, that includes Jamelle Bouie.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Im so dumb. I’m a “regular” with her but I had to cancel my last appointment in February & I just never rescheduled. So now I’m psyching myself out that she’s going to be upset with me. Like it would make any kind of difference to her. 😅”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “TRUMP DEMANDED STATES CANCEL ELECTIONS AND RIG MAPS FOR REPUBLICANS. HE SAID VOTE TWICE IF YOU HAVE TO.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Geesh, if only this administration didn’t cancel all those wind farm projects: www.nytimes.com/2026/05/05/b...”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “With deepest regret, we'd like to inform that we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Baltic Ruby+Unconf conference. We have published our statement on the conference website. Thank you for your trust, and we sincerely apologize for not meeting your expectations.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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#2·Apr 26, 2026

(transitive) To mark something (such as a used postage stamp) so that it can't be reused.

For parents

Cancel means: To mark something (such as a used postage stamp) so that it can't be reused.. It has drug-related associations; worth a calm conversation about which side of the topic your teen is on. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

cancel means: To mark something (such as a used postage stamp) so that it can't be reused.. Register: very informal, often derogatory or vulgar. Avoid in formal, business, academic, or polite writing. Even in casual speech the word can offend and is best left out of a learner's active vocabulary. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.

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#3·Apr 26, 2026

(transitive) To invalidate or annul something.

"I don't know what your agreement was, Herr Professor, but if it had money in it, cancel it. I want him to learn that lesson, too."
Heard in the wild
  • “Ad hominem, cancel culture, Verengung von Meinungskorridoren, deplatforming: alles in einem Tweet. Schade, dass @ulfposhist.bsky.social sich nicht mehr auf bluesky traut @tweetministerin.bsky.social”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “The Pussycat Dolls Cancel North American Leg of Reunion Tour https://www.europesays.com/ie/469114/ The Pussycat Dolls have canceled the North American leg of their upcoming reunion tour after taking “an honest…”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “The Pussycat Dolls Cancel North American Leg of Reunion Tour https://www.newsbeep.com/ie/432997/ The Pussycat Dolls have canceled the North American leg of their upcoming reunion tour after taking “an honest…”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “בתור רפובליקנית היא צריכה לתמוך בשוק החופשי שהחליט שלא מעוניין לצרוך את האומנות שלה ולשלם לה על זה. חוץ מזה שאין דבר כזה באמת cancel culture. כל """קינסול""" הוא בסך הכל שיפט של קהל היעד שלך. שתלך להופיע בהופעות אלטרנטיביות של מחצית הסופרבול או ב-Trump rallies.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “As evident this driver just purposely going around the block due to manipulation by socialist extremists. I had to cancel them and book another cab.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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