Synonyms

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.

Instead, the attack sent a message that Iran could hit Americans in places they thought were protected.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Until 2022, the women’s tournament could not use the March Madness branding.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

"If I could be given land to farm today, land where I and my children can work, I would be truly grateful," she says.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

A significant portion of that month’s net job reductions came from striking health care workers, whose work stoppages meant their employers could not include those jobs in the BLS’ surveys.

From Slate • Apr. 3, 2026

Aunt Mabel could make that much in forty-five minutes, but she was an expert.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

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