What is cancel? Pronunciation and usage in English

cancel means . Learn how to pronounce and use cancel through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of cancel

cancelverb

/ˈkansl/
Definition & pronunciation of cancel

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "cancel" in English. It's a tricky one because it's often mispronounced! Here's a breakdown:

The Correct Pronunciation:

  • ˈkæn.səl (stress on the first syllable)

Let's break it down further:

  1. "Can" - pronounced like the word "can": Sounds like the letter "K" followed by "ahn" (as in "father"). So, it's /kæn/.

  2. "Sel" - pronounced like "suhl": This is where most people stumble. It's not like "sell." It's more like the German "sch" sound (like in "schule" or "Schwarz"). Think of it as a soft "s" followed by a quick "uhl" sound – /səl/.

Putting it together:

You say it as: Kahn-suhl

Tips to help you:

  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it. You can easily find pronunciations on websites like:

  • Break it down: Practice saying "Kahn" and "suhl" separately, then slowly blend them together.

  • Record yourself: Record yourself saying "cancel" and compare it to a native speaker's pronunciation.

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you more examples of words with similar sounds?

Usage and examples with the word cancel in English

Let's break down how to use the word "cancel" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. To Stop or Annul Something (Most Common Usage)

  • Meaning: To officially stop or invalidate something that was planned or agreed upon.
  • Examples:
    • "I need to cancel my flight because I got sick." (Stop a flight)
    • "The company decided to cancel the project due to lack of funding." (Annul a project)
    • "She canceled our date because she had to work late." (Stop a date)
    • "Don't forget to cancel your subscription when you're finished with the service." (Stop a subscription)
  • Phrases: "Cancel an event," "cancel a reservation," "cancel an appointment," "cancel a payment"

2. To Remove or Delete Something (Digital/Online)

  • Meaning: To remove something from a list, system, or platform. This is very common due to streaming services and social media.
  • Examples:
    • "I want to cancel my Netflix subscription." (Remove a subscription)
    • "He canceled his Instagram account." (Delete an account)
    • "She canceled that song from her playlist." (Remove from a list)
    • "The bank canceled the fraudulent transaction." (Remove from a record)
  • Related Terms: "Unsubscribe," "Deactivate," "Delete" (These are often used instead of "cancel" in this context, especially for digital accounts).

3. To Call Off (Informal)

  • Meaning: To call off or abandon something, usually spontaneously. More casual than "cancel."
  • Examples:
    • “Let’s cancel plans tonight – I’m too tired.” (Call off plans)
    • “I’m going to cancel on our lunch. Something came up.” (Call off lunch)
  • Synonyms: "Call off," "scrap," "bow out"

4. (Verb - To Stop/Prevent)

  • Meaning: To stop something from happening or to prevent it. (Less common usage than #1)
  • Examples:
    • "The rain canceled the outdoor concert." (Prevented the concert)
    • "Her apology canceled out any anger I felt." (Stopped my anger)

5. (Noun – Cancellation)

  • Meaning: The act of canceling something.
  • Examples:
    • "There was a last-minute cancellation of the meeting."
    • "I received a cancellation notice from the airline."

Important Notes & Nuances:

  • Formal vs. Informal: "Cancel" is generally considered more formal than "call off."
  • Context is Key: The meaning of "cancel" depends heavily on the context of the sentence.
  • Alternatives: As mentioned, alternatives like "unsubscribe," "deactivate," and "delete" are frequently used, especially in digital contexts.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you trying to use the word "cancel"? (e.g., Are you talking about canceling a flight, a subscription, a social media account, a date, etc.?)

Synonyms for the word cancel

Practice with vocabulary cancel

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Due to the storm, the organizers decided to __________ the outdoor event.
  2. She couldn't attend the meeting, so she asked to __________ her reservation.
  3. After reviewing the budget, the team chose to __________ the project entirely.
  4. The manager agreed to __________ the contract after negotiations fell through.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following actions involves ending something permanently?
    a) postpone
    b) cancel
    c) delay
    d) reschedule

  2. If a flight is no longer available, what action is typically taken?
    a) postpone
    b) delay
    c) cancel
    d) extend

  3. Which word can replace "terminate" in this sentence: "The company decided to __________ the agreement."
    a) cancel
    b) renew
    c) initiate
    d) prolong

  4. Which of the following words is not related to stopping an activity?
    a) continue
    b) halt
    c) suspend
    d) cancel

  5. What action is taken when a subscription is no longer needed?
    a) extend
    b) cancel
    c) renew
    d) upgrade

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The event was called off due to lack of participants.
  2. They decided to terminate the contract after the breach of agreement.
  3. The meeting was postponed because the manager was unavailable.

Answer

Exercise 1

  1. cancel
  2. cancel
  3. halt
  4. terminate

Exercise 2

  1. b) cancel
  2. c) cancel
  3. a) cancel
  4. a) continue
  5. b) cancel

Exercise 3

  1. The event was canceled due to lack of participants.
  2. They decided to cancel the contract after the breach of agreement.
  3. The meeting was rescheduled because the manager was unavailable.

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