could

[ koo d; unstressed kuh d ]

/ kʊd; unstressed kəd /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR could ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

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

could should would (see usage note at should)

Words nearby could

cough mixture, cough reflex, cough syrup, cough up, coughlin, could, couldn't, couldn't care less, couldst, coulee, coulibiac

Definition for could (2 of 3)

can ¹

[ kan; unstressed kuh n ]

/ kæn; unstressed kən /

auxiliary verb, present singular 1st person can, 2nd can or (Archaic) canst, 3rd can, present plural can; past singular 1st person could, 2nd could or (Archaic) couldst, 3rd could, past plural could.

to be able to; have the ability, power, or skill to: She can solve the problem easily, I'm sure.

to know how to: He can play chess, although he's not particularly good at it.

to have the power or means to: A dictator can impose his will on the people.

to have the right or qualifications to: He can change whatever he wishes in the script.

may; have permission to: Can I speak to you for a moment?

to have the possibility: A coin can land on either side.

verb (used with or without object), present singular 1st person can, 2nd can or (Archaic) canst, 3rd can, present plural can; past singular 1st person could, 2nd could or (Archaic) couldst, 3rd could, past plural could; imperative can; infinitive can; past participle could; present participle cun·ning.

Obsolete. to know.

Origin of can

before 900; Middle English, Old English, present indicative singular 1st, 3rd person of cunnan to know, know how; cognate with German, Old Norse, Gothic kann; see ken, know¹

usage note for can

Can1 and may1 are frequently but not always interchangeable in senses indicating possibility: A power failure can (or may ) occur at any time. Despite the insistence by some, that can means only “to be able” and may means “to be permitted,” both are regularly used in seeking or granting permission: Can (or May ) I borrow your tape recorder? You can (or may ) use it tomorrow. Sentences using can occur chiefly in spoken English. May in this sense occurs more frequently in formal contexts: May I address the court, Your Honor? In negative constructions, can't or cannot is more common than may not : You can't have it today. I need it myself. The contraction mayn't is rare.
Can but and cannot but are formal and now somewhat old-fashioned expressions suggesting that there is no possible alternative to doing something. Can but is equivalent to can only : We can but do our best. Cannot but is the equivalent of cannot help but : We cannot but protest against these injustices. See also cannot, help.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH can

can may shall will (see usage note at the current entry) (see usage note at shall)

Definition for could (3 of 3)

can ²

[ kan ]

/ kæn /

noun

a sealed container for food, beverages, etc., as of aluminum, sheet iron coated with tin, or other metal: a can of soup.

a receptacle for garbage, ashes, etc.: a trash can.

a bucket, pail, or other container for holding or carrying liquids: water can.

a drinking cup; tankard.

a metal or plastic container for holding film on cores or reels.

Slang: Usually Vulgar. toilet; bathroom.

Slang. jail: He's been in the can for a week.

Slang: Sometimes Vulgar. buttocks.

cans, Slang. a set of headphones designed to cover the ears. Compare earbuds.

Military Slang.

a depth charge.
a destroyer.

verb (used with object), canned, can·ning.

to preserve by sealing in a can, jar, etc.

Slang. to dismiss; fire.

Slang. to throw (something) away.

Slang. to put a stop to: Can that noise!

to record, as on film or tape.

Origin of can

before 1000; Middle English, Old English canne, cognate with German Kanne, Old Norse kanna, all perhaps < West Germanic; compare Late Latin canna small vessel

British Dictionary definitions for could (1 of 3)

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 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

Word Origin for could

Old English cūthe; influenced by would, should; see can 1

British Dictionary definitions for could (2 of 3)

can ¹

/ (kæn, unstressed kən) /

verb past could (takes an infinitive without to or an implied infinitive) (intr)

used as an auxiliary to indicate ability, skill, or fitness to perform a task I can run a mile in under four minutes

used as an auxiliary to indicate permission or the right to something can I have a drink?

used as an auxiliary to indicate knowledge of how to do something he can speak three languages fluently

used as an auxiliary to indicate the possibility, opportunity, or likelihood my trainer says I can win the race if I really work hard

Word Origin for can

Old English cunnan; related to Old Norse kunna, Old High German kunnan, Latin cognōscere to know, Sanskrit jānāti he knows; see ken, uncouth

undefined can

See may 1

British Dictionary definitions for could (3 of 3)

can ²

/ (kæn) /

noun

a container, esp for liquids, usually of thin sheet metal a petrol can; beer can

another name (esp US) for tin (def. 2)

Also called: canful the contents of a can or the amount a can will hold

a slang word for prison

US and Canadian a slang word for toilet or buttocks See toilet

US navy a slang word for destroyer

navy slang a depth charge

a shallow cylindrical metal container of varying size used for storing and handling film

can of worms informal a complicated problem

carry the can See carry (def. 37)

in the can

(of a film, piece of music, etc) having been recorded, processed, edited, etc
informal arranged or agreedthe contract is almost in the can

verb cans, canning or canned

to put (food, etc) into a can or cans; preserve in a can

(tr) US slang to dismiss from a job

(tr) US informal to stop (doing something annoying or making an annoying noise) (esp in the phrase can it!)

(tr) informal to reject or discard

Word Origin for can

Old English canne; related to Old Norse, Old High German kanna, Irish gann, Swedish kana sled

Idioms and Phrases with could (1 of 2)

could

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

Idioms and Phrases with could (2 of 2)

can

In addition to the idioms beginning with can

can do with
canned laughter
can of worms

also see:

as best one can
before you can say Jack Robinson
bite off more than one can chew
carry the can
catch as catch can
game that two can play
get the ax (can)
in the can
more than one can shake a stick at
no can do
you can bet your ass
you can lead a horse to water
you can say that again
you never can tell

Also see undercan't.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

could

verb

auxiliary verb

Origin of could

usage note for could

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH could

Words nearby could

Definition for could (2 of 3)

auxiliary verb, present singular 1st person can, 2nd can or (Archaic) canst, 3rd can, present plural can; past singular 1st person could, 2nd could or (Archaic) couldst, 3rd could, past plural could.

Origin of can

usage note for can

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH can

Definition for could (3 of 3)

noun

verb (used with object), canned, can·ning.

Origin of can

British Dictionary definitions for could (1 of 3)

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

Word Origin for could

British Dictionary definitions for could (2 of 3)

verb past could (takes an infinitive without to or an implied infinitive) (intr)

Word Origin for can

undefined can

British Dictionary definitions for could (3 of 3)

noun

verb cans, canning or canned

Word Origin for can

Idioms and Phrases with could (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with could (2 of 2)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

could

verb

auxiliary verb

Origin of could

usage note for could

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH could

Words nearby could

Definition for could (2 of 3)

auxiliary verb, present singular 1st person can, 2nd can or (Archaic) canst, 3rd can, present plural can; past singular 1st person could, 2nd could or (Archaic) couldst, 3rd could, past plural could.

Origin of can

usage note for can

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH can

Definition for could (3 of 3)

noun

verb (used with object), canned, can·ning.

Origin of can

Words related to could

British Dictionary definitions for could (1 of 3)

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

Word Origin for could

British Dictionary definitions for could (2 of 3)

verb past could (takes an infinitive without to or an implied infinitive) (intr)

Word Origin for can

undefined can

British Dictionary definitions for could (3 of 3)

noun

verb cans, canning or canned

Word Origin for can

Idioms and Phrases with could (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with could (2 of 2)