cancellation

cancellation — noun

1. the act or process of deciding that a planned event will not take place, or that

1.nounC1
Definition

the act or process of deciding that a planned event will not take place, or that an order, agreement, or arrangement is stopped before it is carried out.

Example

The cancellation of the festival disappointed thousands of people who had bought tickets.

countable: cancellation + of + event

Any flight cancellation due to bad weather will be refunded within seven days.

uncountable: flight / order cancellation

Common collocations
  • cancellation of a flight
  • cancellation of an event
  • cancellation of a contract
  • late cancellation
  • last-minute cancellation
  • free cancellation
Synonyms
  • calling off

    less formal; used mainly for events, not contracts

  • revocation

    formal; used for official documents, licences, or legal agreements

Antonyms
  • confirmation

    used when an arrangement or booking is officially made certain

Grammar Patterns

cancellation + of + noun phrase

Usage Note

Both countable (a cancellation / the cancellations) and uncountable (cancellation is expected) uses are common. When referring to a specific stopped event, the countable form is preferred.

Common Mistakes

The meeting got a cancellation because the manager was sick.
The meeting was cancelled because the manager was sick.
'cancellation' is a noun, not a verb. Use 'cancel' as the verb form.

2. a broadcaster or streaming service's decision to stop making new parts of a TV s

2.nounB2
Definition

a broadcaster or streaming service's decision to stop making new parts of a TV show, usually because few people are watching or the cost of production is too high.

Example

Fans started an online petition after the surprise cancellation of their favourite drama series.

cancellation + of + TV show (fan response)

The network announced the cancellation of three shows that had low ratings this season.

countable: the cancellation + of + shows

Common collocations
  • cancellation of a series
  • cancellation of a show
  • face cancellation
  • avoid cancellation
  • announce the cancellation
Synonyms
  • axing

    informal; 'the show got axed' is common in journalism

  • discontinuation

    formal; wider than TV, but can apply to programme production

Antonyms
  • renewal

    used when a TV show is given a new season

Grammar Patterns

cancellation + of + TV show / series

Usage Note

Frequently used with television, streaming, and media as the context. The countable form (a cancellation, three cancellations) is typical when naming specific shows.

3. a situation in which people stop supporting or engaging with a person, company,

3.nounC1
Definition

a situation in which people stop supporting or engaging with a person, company, or group because of something unacceptable they have said or done — often done through coordinated online action.

Example

The influencer faced widespread cancellation after old offensive posts were shared online.

face cancellation — common collocation

Some activists call for the cancellation of public figures who make harmful statements.

call for + cancellation + of + person

Common collocations
  • face cancellation
  • call for cancellation
  • threat of cancellation
  • cancellation culture
  • widespread cancellation
Synonyms
  • boycott

    broader — can be economic or political; does not always involve online shaming

  • public shaming

    focuses on the humiliation aspect rather than the withdrawal of support

Antonyms
  • forgiveness

    the opposite reaction — choosing to accept an apology rather than withdrawing support

Grammar Patterns

cancellation + of + someone

face cancellation

call for the cancellation of

Usage Note

This sense is closely tied to 'cancel culture' — the modern social-media-driven phenomenon. It is almost always used uncountably when referring to the general practice, but a countable form (a cancellation) can refer to a specific instance. Often carries strong emotional or political overtones. See also the phrasal verb 'cancel' (verb, sense 3).

Common Mistakes

He received a cancellation from his friends.
He was cancelled by his friends.
As a noun, 'cancellation' in this sense usually describes the concept or practice, not the act applied to one person. The verb 'cancel' is more natural for individuals.

4. a ticket, hotel room, appointment slot, or similar item that becomes open and av

4.nounB2
Definition

a ticket, hotel room, appointment slot, or similar item that becomes open and available because another person or group has decided not to use the one they reserved.

Example

Beatriz snapped up a hotel cancellation for a sea-view room at a discount.

countable noun: a cancellation = an available room

Yusuf checked the airline site daily, hoping to find a cancellation on the sold-out flight.

Common collocations
  • a cancellation
  • last-minute cancellation
  • cancellation list
  • cancellation available
  • snap up a cancellation
Synonyms
  • availability

    broader; refers to any open slot, not just one freed by cancellation

Grammar Patterns

a cancellation

cancellations available

Usage Note

Always countable in this sense. Typical in travel, hospitality, and service booking contexts. Often modified by 'last-minute' or 'late'.

Common Mistakes

I got a cancellation from my hotel because I changed my plans.
I got a cancellation at the hotel
someone else cancelled and I took their room.' — In this sense, 'a cancellation' means an AVAILABLE slot, not the act of cancelling your own reservation.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe stopping something that was already planned, but they differ in scope and formality. 'Cancellation' is the most general and neutral — it works for events, orders, contracts, and reservations. 'Calling off' is less formal and mainly used for events or plans, not legal documents ('they called off the wedding'). 'Revocation' is formal and specific to official permissions, licences, or legal agreements — a driver's licence can be revoked, but not a concert. 'Annulment' is the most formal and legal, used when a law, marriage, or court decision is declared invalid from the start. For everyday cancellations of a flight, hotel, or meeting, use 'cancellation'. For a wedding or a party, 'calling off' sounds more natural. For legal or official documents, use 'revocation' or 'annulment' depending on whether the item is being stopped (revocation) or declared never valid (annulment).

cancellation ↗calling offrevocation ↗annulment

Common collocations

Nouns

  • flight cancellation
  • order cancellation
  • event cancellation
  • contract cancellation
  • show cancellation
  • appointment cancellation

Phrases

  • free cancellation
  • last-minute cancellation
  • late cancellation
  • cancellation fee
  • cancellation policy
  • cancellation list

Prepositions

  • cancellation of
  • due to cancellation

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Derived from the Latin verb 'cancellare', meaning 'to cross out' or 'to mark with a grid of lines' (from 'cancelli', meaning 'lattice or cross-bars'). The word entered English through French in the late 14th century, first used for crossing out writing. By the 16th century it had gained the broader meaning of 'annul' or 'revoke'. The noun form 'cancellation' appeared in the early 17th century.