cancelled

Cancelled is the past participle of cancel. In British English, the spelling cancelled is standard; in American English, the form canceled is more common. As an adjective, cancelled describes something that has been called off, annulled, or revoked, such as a flight, a proposal, a contract, or a plan. Cancellation can be planned or compelled by weather, logistics, policy changes, or other circumstances, and may be accompanied by refunds or rescheduling.

In contemporary usage, the term is closely associated with cancel culture, a sociocultural phenomenon in which individuals or institutions are publicly criticized and boycotted, sometimes leading to withdrawal of opportunities, funding, or access to platforms. Proponents emphasize accountability for perceived offenses, while critics argue that the process can be disproportionate, decontextualized, or impede due process.

Etymology: cancel comes from Latin cancellare, meaning to strike out or annul, via Old French canceller, with the English form cancelled reflecting standard spelling conventions. The noun forms cancelation or cancellation refer to the act or result of canceling; cancellation is the more common spelling in modern usage.

In legal and business contexts, cancellation terminates contracts, orders, or services. In everyday life, cancellations affect events, travel plans, subscriptions, and other arrangements, often triggering refunds, rescheduling, or alternative arrangements. See also cancellation policy, cancel culture, postponement, and termination for related concepts.