Dictionary.com

could

[ kood; unstressed kuhd ]
/ kʊd; unstressed kəd /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR could

verb

a simple past tense of can1.

auxiliary verb

(used to express possibility): I wonder who that could be at the door. That couldn't be true.
(used to express conditional possibility or ability): You could do it if you tried.
(used in making polite requests): Could you open the door for me, please?
(used in asking for permission): Could I borrow your pen?
(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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Origin of could

Middle English coude,Old English cūthe; modern -l- (from would1, should) first attested 1520–30

usage note for could

See care.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH could

can, could

Words nearby could

Coughlin, cough mixture, cough reflex, cough syrup, cough up, could, couldn't, couldn't care less, couldst, coulee, coulibiac
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to could

keep, commit, manage, take care of, bottle, may, expel, terminate, dismiss, boot, sack, bounce, ax, cashier, discharge, put up, make out, can do, could, cut the mustard

British Dictionary definitions for could

could
/ (kʊd) /

verb (takes an infinitive without to or an implied infinitive)

used as an auxiliary to make the past tense of can 1
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
used as an auxiliary to indicate suggestion of a course of actionyou could take the car tomorrow if it's raining
(often foll by well) used as an auxiliary to indicate a possibilityhe could well be a spy

Word Origin for could

Old English cūthe; influenced by would, should; see can 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with could

could

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

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.