cant

[kænt]

cant Definition

• 1. insincere or hypocritical talk, typically of a moral, religious, or political nature
• 2. specialized vocabulary of a particular group or profession, often used to exclude outsiders
• 3. a slope or tilt

Using cant: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "cant" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The politician's speech was filled with cant and empty promises.

• Example

  The legal cant made it difficult for the layman to understand the proceedings.

• Example

  The book is full of cant expressions used by sailors.

• Example

  The cant of the roof made it difficult to install the solar panels.

cant Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for cant

• jargon
• slang
• argot
• vernacular
• tilt
• slope
• inclination

Antonyms for cant

• honesty
• sincerity
• frankness

Idioms Using cant

• talk the cant

  to speak insincerely or hypocritically, especially about moral or religious matters

  Example

  He talks the cant of social justice but does nothing to actually help those in need.

• cant and hypocrisy

  insincere or hypocritical behavior, especially in a moral or religious context

  Example

  The preacher's cant and hypocrisy were exposed when he was caught embezzling church funds.

• cant of the pulpit

  hypocritical or insincere religious language or behavior

  Example

  Many people are turned off by the cant of the pulpit and prefer to practice their faith in private.

Phrases with cant

• whining cant

  self-pitying or whining talk, especially in a moralizing way

  Example

  I'm tired of his whining cant about how hard his life is.

• shopkeeper's cant

  a secret language used by thieves and beggars to communicate with each other, often involving rhyming slang

  Example

  The novel includes a lot of shopkeeper's cant, which can be difficult to decipher without a glossary.

• cant of the day

  the prevailing or fashionable jargon or buzzwords of a particular time or place

  Example

  The cant of the day in Silicon Valley is all about 'disruptive innovation' and 'scalable solutions.'

Origins of cant

from Old North French 'cant', meaning 'corner' or 'edge'

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Summary: cant in Brief

'Cant' [kænt] refers to insincere or hypocritical talk, often of a moral, religious, or political nature. It can also refer to specialized vocabulary used by particular groups or professions. Additionally, 'cant' can mean a slope or tilt, as in 'The cant of the roof made it difficult to install the solar panels.' Phrases like 'whining cant' and idioms like 'talk the cant' emphasize the insincerity or hypocrisy of the speaker.