cancel
HighFormal, Informal
Definition
Meaning
to decide that something planned or arranged will not happen; to stop something from continuing.
To invalidate, offset, or delete; to publicly withdraw support from a person or entity (cancel culture).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb has broad application from appointments and events to contracts and cultural support. The modern sense of 'cancelling' a person is informal and contentious.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK English, 'cancel' often appears in forms like 'cancelled', 'cancelling'. In US English, typically 'canceled', 'canceling'. The noun form 'cancellation' is universal.
Connotations
The 'cancel culture' connotation is equally strong and controversial in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
cancel sthcancel sth on sbcancel sth for sbbe cancelledcancel out sthVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cancel out”
- “cancel someone's ticket”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To formally terminate a contract, order, or subscription.
Academic
To invalidate a hypothesis or offset an effect.
Everyday
To decide not to go ahead with a planned event or arrangement.
Technical
In computing, to stop a process or command; in mathematics, to reduce a fraction.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We had to cancel the picnic due to the dreadful weather.
- She cancelled her gym membership last month.
- The bank cancelled the cheque as it was reported stolen.
American English
- They canceled the concert because the lead singer was sick.
- I need to cancel my subscription online.
- The positive and negative charges cancel each other out.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The cancelled cheque was proof of payment.
- We received a cancellation notice in the post.
American English
- Look for a canceled stamp on the envelope.
- The cancellation fee was quite hefty.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please cancel my order.
- The football match was cancelled.
- I will cancel my trip.
- Due to the strike, all trains have been cancelled.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before, there's a fee.
- They had to cancel the meeting at short notice.
- The company was forced to cancel the project after the budget cuts.
- The two factors cancel each other out, resulting in no net change.
- Her charitable work somewhat cancels out her previous controversial statements.
- The author was effectively cancelled by the literary community following the scandal.
- The court moved to cancel the contract on grounds of misrepresentation.
- We must consider whether the benefits cancel out the considerable risks involved.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CAN of CELery. You decide to throw it away, so you CANCEL your plan to eat it.
Conceptual Metaphor
ERASING A LINE (e.g., 'She cancelled the appointment' – as if drawing a line through it).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'отменить' (correct) and 'отменять' (correct). Beware of false friend 'канцелярия' (office/stationery). The modern social 'cancel' is often translated as 'бойкотировать' or 'кэнселить' as a direct borrowing.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I cancelled my dentist' (Correct: 'I cancelled my dentist appointment'). Incorrect spelling in UK English: 'canceled'. Incorrect use of preposition: 'cancel from' instead of 'cancel'. Overusing the 'cancel culture' sense in formal contexts.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct British English spelling?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Cancel' means it will not happen at all. 'Postpone' means it is delayed to a later time.
Both are correct. 'Cancelled' is standard in British English, while 'canceled' is common in American English.
It refers to the modern practice of withdrawing support for (cancelling) public figures or companies after they have done or said something considered objectionable.
In modern informal usage, 'a cancel' can refer to an instance of cancelling someone (e.g., 'The celebrity faced a major cancel'). The standard noun is 'cancellation'.
Collections
Part of a collection
Travel Vocabulary
A2 · 50 words · Words for getting around, booking trips and visiting new places.