canned

adjective

ˈkand 

1

: preserved in a sealed can or jar

canned peaches

canned pumpkin

2

a

: prepared or recorded in advance

especially : prepared in standardized form for nonspecific use or wide distribution

canned laughter

canned music

b

: lacking originality or individuality as if mass-produced

a canned speech

3

slang : drunk sense 1a

Synonyms

• apish
• emulative
• epigonic
• epigonous
• formulaic
• imitative
• mimetic
• mimic
• slavish
• unoriginal

Examples of canned in a Sentence

The salesperson kept using the same canned phrases.

there's a canned quality to the screenplay that reminds you of countless other action movies

Recent Examples on the Web

Other human foods that cats can eat unseasoned and without bones are salmon, chicken, turkey, beef, organ meat, shrimp, lamb, pork and canned tuna in spring water only. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

Two thousand seniors can apply to get items, such as milk, cereal and canned goods, monthly. —Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 12 Sep. 2024

Rounding out the top five are two sweet treats; pumpkin pie and canned cranberries. —Perri Ormont Blumberg Fox News, Fox News, 28 Nov. 2024

So opt for the green beans with almond slivers over the dense green bean casserole and perhaps consider the homemade cranberry sauce over the canned variety. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

canned

adjective

ˈkand 

1

: preserved in a sealed can or jar

canned peaches

2

a

: prepared or recorded in advance

especially : prepared in one form for ordinary use or wide distribution

canned laughter

b

: lacking originality as if mass-produced

a canned speech