Showing results for "could"

• past tense form of can.
• past participle of can.

could

American  

[kood, kuhd] / kʊd, kəd /

auxiliary verb

1. a simple past tense of can.

2. (used to express possibility).

   I wonder who that could be at the door. That couldn't be true.

3. (used to express conditional possibility or ability).

   You could do it if you tried.

4. (used in making polite requests).

   Could you open the door for me, please?

5. (used in asking for permission).

   Could I borrow your pen?

6. (used in offering suggestions or advice).

   You could write and ask for more information. You could at least have called me.

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could British  

/ kʊd /

verb

1. used as an auxiliary to make the past tense of can 1

2. used as an auxiliary, esp in polite requests or in conditional sentences, to make the subjunctive mood of can 1

   could I see you tonight?

   she'd telephone if she could

3. used as an auxiliary to indicate suggestion of a course of action

   you could take the car tomorrow if it's raining

4. (often foll by well) used as an auxiliary to indicate a possibility

   he could well be a spy

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could Idioms  

1. see can (could) do with; see with half an eye, could. Also see under can; couldn't.

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Usage

See care.

Etymology

Origin of could

First recorded in 1450–1500; alteration of late Middle English coude, coud, Old English cūthe; modern -l- from would ¹, should

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

could

As a result, Rooney's publisher, Faber, determined it could not sell her novels, including Normal People and Conversations with Friends, in the UK.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

The position remains one of the team’s biggest unknowns, but the preseason could offer some confidence that the Lakers have options.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026

“This Act could have helped enormously — and still can! But it needs to actually work, and every voice in support of it matters,” he added.

From Salon ● Oct. 17, 2026

The biggest payday for Dubois could come against the winner of Joshua and Tyson Fury's December showdown, which is expected to have the WBA 'super' title at stake.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

And I also feel fragile, as if the gentlest breeze could knock me over.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

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