cancel

Everyday

1. To decide that a planned event will not happen. tree →
2. To stop an order, booking or ticket so that it no longer counts. tree →
3. In maths, to remove the same factor or number from both parts, as when making a fraction simpler. tree →
4. (cancel out) Of two things: to have equal and opposite effects so together they make nothing. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, matches, trips and school days get cancelled because of bad weather, illness or snow; on a computer «Cancel» stops an action. In maths, you cancel a fraction by dividing top and bottom by the same number (6/8 → 3/4), and +5 and −5 cancel out. In science, two equal forces pushing opposite ways cancel out and the object does not move. Phrases: «cancel out», «cancel a booking», «be cancelled because of».

Examples

• The football match was cancelled because of the rain. tree →
• School was cancelled after the big snowstorm. tree →
• Mum cancelled the dentist appointment. tree →
• Click «Cancel» if you don't want to delete the file. tree →
• Cancel the twos: 2/6 becomes 1/3. tree →
• Adding 4 and then taking 4 away cancel each other out. tree →
• Two equal pushes from opposite sides cancel out, so the box stays still. tree →
• The flight was cancelled and we had to stay another night. tree →

Note

British: cancelled, cancelling (double l); American: canceled, canceling (one l). Noun: «cancellation». Cancelling a fraction does not change its value — 3/4 is the same amount as 6/8. A cancelled event is not just late (that is «delayed» or «postponed»); it will not happen as planned.