wouldn't

[ wood-nt ]

/ ˈwʊd nt /

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Definition of wouldn't

contraction of would not:I wouldn't ask her.

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Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

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usage note for wouldn't

See contraction.

Words nearby wouldn't

wotcher, Wotton, Wouk, would, would-be, wouldn't, wouldn't dream of, would rather, wouldst, would that, Woulfe bottle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use wouldn't in a sentence

Marvin takes off his T-shirt and dives into his swimming pool.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
There was a handy distraction in the Che t-shirt the tourist was wearing while celebrating the death.
The Life and Hard Times Of The Family A Cuban Defector Left Behind|Brin-Jonathan Butler|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some of Dr. Stephen T. Colbert D.F.A.'s best moments behind the desk.
The Ultimate 'Colbert Report' Supercut|The Daily Beast Video|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was standing on the corner and wearing only a T-shirt and jeans, and this was 11:30 at night and it was really cold.
Hunt for Iraq Vet After Killing Spree|M.L. Nestel|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Following the pre-recession excess of T-Pain and Akon, hip-hop was in search of greater authenticity.
Future Makes Us Rethink Everything We Thought We Knew About Rap Artists|Luke Hopping|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There'll be heaps uh fun in the Cypress Hills country when they get t' runnin' the whisky-jacks out.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
An with that I laid down on the settee, an felt orful bad, an the more I tho't about it, the wus I felt.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
I've tried to teach lots of folks; an' sum learns quick, an' some don't never learn; it's jest 's 't strikes 'em.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
But ef Jos keeps on, airnin' ez much ez he hez so fur, he's goin' ter pay the Injun part on 't, when he cums.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
It's easy for a prisoner t' slip a note to a friend that happens t' be mountin' guard.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair

British Dictionary definitions for wouldn't

wouldn't

/ (ˈwʊdənt) /

contraction of

would not

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with wouldn't

wouldn't

In addition to the idiom beginning with wouldn't

wouldn't dream of

also see:

butter wouldn't melt
caught dead, wouldn't be
not (wouldn't) lift a finger

Also see undernot.