Definition of CANCEL (original) (raw)
1
a
: to decide not to conduct or perform (something planned or expected) usually without expectation of conducting or performing it at a later time
Flights were canceled due to weather conditions.
b
: to destroy the force, effectiveness, or validity of : annul
cancel a magazine subscription
c
: to match in force or effect : offset —often used with out
… his irritability canceled out his natural kindness.—
Osbert Sitwell
d
: to bring to nothingness : destroy
e
: to withdraw one's support for (someone, such as a celebrity, or something, such as a company) publicly and especially on social media
… writers are more afraid than ever of being canceled on social media …—Andreas Wiseman
Many on the internet "canceled" him and vowed to never listen to his music again.—Nick Sligh
see also [cancel culture](/dictionary/cancel culture)
2
: to deface (a postage or revenue stamp) especially with a set of ink lines so as to invalidate for reuse
3
b
: to remove (equivalents) on opposite sides of an equation or account
4
a
: to mark or strike out for deletion
cancel the offensive passage
1
: to decide against participating in a planned event
So sorry I have to cancel. Can we meet tomorrow?
2
: to make something invalid or ineffective
If you subscribe online, you can cancel at any time.
3
: to neutralize each other's strength or effect : counterbalance
… the various pressure groups to a large degree canceled out.—J. B. Conant
… the combined profits and losses on these derivatives will, by definition, cancel out …—The Economist
Usage of Canceled and Canceling
The forms canceled and canceling are typical in the United States, while cancelled and cancelling are more prevalent everywhere else.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to cancel someone?
To cancel someone is to stop supporting them or their work. This means no longer reading what they write, listening to or watching what they create, or enjoying what they produce.
Is it cancelled or canceled?
The forms of cancel in American English are typically canceled and canceling; in British English they are cancelled and cancelling. Cancellation is the usual spelling everywhere, though cancelation is also sometimes used.
What does cancellable mean?
The word cancellable (which is also but less commonly spelled cancelable) describes something, such as a contract or policy, that can be canceled—that is, that can be made no longer valid or effective.
What does it mean to cancel someone?
To cancel someone is to stop supporting them or their work. This means no longer reading what they write, listening to or watching what they create, or enjoying what they produce.
Is it cancelled or canceled?
The forms of cancel in American English are typically canceled and canceling; in British English they are cancelled and cancelling. Cancellation is the usual spelling everywhere, though cancelation is also sometimes used.
What does cancellable mean?
The word cancellable (which is also but less commonly spelled cancelable) describes something, such as a contract or policy, that can be canceled—that is, that can be made no longer valid or effective.
Synonyms of cancel
Examples of cancel in a Sentence
Verb
The event was canceled at the last minute when the speaker didn't show up. We canceled our dinner reservation. My flight was canceled because of the storm. She canceled her appointment with the dentist. I'm sorry, but I have to cancel. Can we meet next week? He canceled his insurance policy last month. We canceled our magazine subscription when we moved. The bank canceled my credit card. If you subscribe online, you can cancel at any time.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
An hour before the first AES Indiana community open house for the year was set to happen, the electric company said it had been cancelled due to threats. —Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 4 Mar. 2026 Outside the region, other airlines continue to reroute or cancel flights that had been scheduled to fly near the conflict zone. —Marnie Hunter, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
Who has the best cancel for any reason travel insurance? —Liz Knueven, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026 For travelers with job insecurity, EF’s cancel for any reason protection plans are also a big confidence booster during the booking process across all three of the company’s tour operator brands. —Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cancel
Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun
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
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b
Noun
1803, in the meaning defined at sense 2b(1)
Time Traveler
The first known use of cancel was in the 14th century
Browse Nearby Words
Cite this Entry
“Cancel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cancel. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
More from Merriam-Webster on cancel
Last Updated: 5 Mar 2026 - Updated example sentences
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