could

American

[kood, kuhd] / kʊd, kəd /

auxiliary verb

a simple past tense of can.
(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.

could British

/ kʊd /

verb

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 action

you could take the car tomorrow if it's raining
(often foll by well) used as an auxiliary to indicate a possibility

he could well be a spy

"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

could Idioms

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

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Still, as the last of this summer’s major family films, “Moana” could see a longer tail in theaters, particularly with many children still on break from school.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 12, 2026

England want new coach before Pakistan - who could it be?

From BBC • Jul. 12, 2026

He has said he "intends to win" the election, setting the stage for what could be the defining contest of his political life.

From Barron's • Jul. 12, 2026

In the quarterfinals, both teams needed to survive nerve-shredding periods of extra time that could easily have sent them tumbling out of the tournament.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 12, 2026

Once they were adequately charmed, she kindly asked if she could enter the camp and give food to the prisoners.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023