First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1cancel
verb can·cel \ˈkan(t)-səl\
: to stop doing or planning to do (something) : to decide that something (such as a game, performance, etc.) will not happen
: to cause (something) to end or no longer produce a certain effect : to stop (something) from being effective or valid
: to put a mark with a set of ink lines on something (such as a stamp) so that it cannot be used again
can·celed or can·celledcan·cel·ing or can·cel·ling\-s(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of CANCEL
transitive verb
1
a : to destroy the force, effectiveness, or validity of : annul <cancel a magazine subscription> <a canceled check> b : to bring to nothingness : destroy c : to match in force or effect : offset —often used with out <his irritability canceled out his natural kindness — Osbert Sitwell> d : to call off usually without expectation of conducting or performing at a later time <cancel a football game>
3
a : to remove (a common divisor) from numerator and denominator b : to remove (equivalents) on opposite sides of an equation or account
4
: to deface (a postage or revenue stamp) especially with a set of ink lines so as to invalidate for reuse
intransitive verb
: to neutralize each other's strength or effect : counterbalance
— can·cel·able or can·cel·la·ble \-s(ə-)lə-bəl\ adjective
— can·cel·er or can·cel·ler \-s(ə-)lər\ noun
See cancel defined for English-language learners
See cancel defined for kids
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Origin of CANCEL
Middle English cancellen, from Anglo-French canceller, chanceller, from Late Latin cancellare, from Latin, to make like a lattice, from cancelli (plural), diminutive of cancer lattice, probably alteration of carcer prison
2cancel
noun
Definition of CANCEL
1
2
a : a deleted part or passage b (1) : a leaf containing matter to be deleted (2) : a new leaf or slip substituted for matter already printed
First Known Use of CANCEL
1806
Other Postal Terms
Rhymes with CANCEL
CANCELER Defined for Kids
cancel
verb can·cel \ˈkan-səl\
can·celed or can·celledcan·cel·ing or can·cel·ling
Definition of CANCEL for Kids
1
: to take back : stop from being in effect <She canceled the order.>
2
: to cause to not happen <I hoped for anything that could cancel the dance. — Ann M. Martin, Baby-sitters' Winter Vacation>
3
: to be equal in force or importance but have opposite effect <The disadvantages of the plan canceled out the advantages.>
4
: to remove (a common divisor) from numerator and denominator : remove (equivalents) on opposite sides of an equation
5
: to cross out or strike out with a line <He canceled what he had written.>
6
: to mark (as a postage stamp) so as to make impossible to use again
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