Cancel out Meaning in English
expression
Definition
To remove or balance the effect of something by having an opposite effect; when two things make each other ineffective.
Usage & Nuances
Usually informal or neutral; used for physical, mathematical, or figurative effects (e.g., sounds, actions, benefits). Commonly found with 'each other', 'the effect', or negative impacts. Not used for canceling events—use 'cancel' alone in that case.
Example Sentences
The vitamin and the medicine cancel out each other's effects.
basic
Adding sugar may cancel out the health benefits of tea.
basic
The benefits of waking up early can easily cancel out if you don't get enough sleep.
natural
Sometimes the good and bad news just cancel out; I end up feeling nothing.
natural
The two noises cancel out each other.
basic
Those two colors just cancel each other out when mixed together—they turn gray.
natural