What does "canna" mean?
Any member of the genus Canna of tropical plants with large leaves and often showy flowers.
Canna
/ˈkænə/ contraction, name, noun, slang
contraction, name, noun, slang ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Any member of the genus Canna of tropical plants with large leaves and often showy flowers.
- Grammar: canna is listed as contraction, name, noun, slang.
- Usage evidence: A palisade of Canary palms formed an honour guard along the verges, while beds of golden cannas flamed from the central reservation.
How to use "canna"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "canna" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "canna" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "canna" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "canna" is acting as contraction, name, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "canna", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Any member of the genus Canna of tropical plants with large leaves and often showy flowers.
"A palisade of Canary palms formed an honour guard along the verges, while beds of golden cannas flamed from the central reservation."
- 2 A measure of length in Italy, varying from six to seven feet. historical
- 3 Clipping of cannabis. abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, in-compounds, slang, uncountable
"No high holiday is complete without an appropriate spread of canna-accessories—and we’re talking about more than just a glasstastic collection of pipes and bowls."
- 4 any plant of the genus Canna having large sheathing leaves and clusters of large showy flowers wordnet
Contraction
- 1 Contraction of can + not: cannot. Cumbria, Jamaica, Scotland, abbreviation, alt-of, contraction
"I canna' change the laws of physics."
Proper Noun
- 1 An island in the Small Isles, Inner Hebrides, Highland council area, Scotland, joined to the island of Sanday by a bridge.
- 2 A town and comune in Cosenza province, Calabria, Italy.
- 3 A small town in the Shire of Morawa, Mid West region, Western Australia.
Example
"A palisade of Canary palms formed an honour guard along the verges, while beds of golden cannas flamed from the central reservation."
Common questions
How do you use "canna" in a sentence?
A palisade of Canary palms formed an honour guard along the verges, while beds of golden cannas flamed from the central reservation.
How do you pronounce "canna"?
Pronounced /ˈkænə/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Latin canna (“reed”), from Ancient Greek κᾰ́ννᾱ (kắnnā, “reed”), from Akkadian 𒂵𒉡𒌑𒌝 (qanûm). Cognates Biblical Hebrew קָנֶה (qané), Aramaic קַנְיָא (qanyā), Classical Syriac ܩܢܝܐ (qanya), and English canon, cannon, canal, and channel. Doublet of cane and kaneh.
Etymology 2
Borrowed from Scots cannae, can + -nae.
Etymology 3
Borrowed from Italian canna. Doublet of cane and kaneh.
Etymology 4
Clipping of cannabis.