DictionaryAI

could

KUUD/kʊd/

7 meanings of could

Practice

  1. 1
    possibleverb
    Used to say that something might happen or be the case.

    The noise could be the wind.

    This could take longer than we think.

    UsageFollowed by a bare verb: could be, could take; for past possibility, could have been.

    Similarmight, may

    Note

    Past in form, present or future in meaning: we could rearrange the time is about a plan still to come, not about yesterday. The past shape adds distance, so the claim sounds tentative rather than certain. The Economist used it in 2013 to say a real spy story could be straight out of the cinema, which is a cautious likeness and not a fact. Unlike the contrary-to-fact use, nothing here is ruled out.

    Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact

    • The Economist used “could be straight out of the cinema” about a real spy story in 2013. en.wiktionary.org
  2. 2
    was ableverb
    Simple past of can: was or were able to, or knew how to.

    She could swim before she could walk.

    We could hear the sea from our room.

    UsageFor a single success, was able to or managed to is usual; could suits general ability and senses: she could swim, we could hear.

    Note

    The l is only a spelling: writers added it in the early sixteenth century so the word would match should and would, which is why the three look alike on the page. Can is a defective verb, missing forms that ordinary verbs have, so could does the work of its past tense.

    Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

    • The l is silent in present-day could. en.wikipedia.org
    • The l was added in the early sixteenth century by analogy with should and would. en.wiktionary.org
    • Can is defective, lacking ordinary verb forms; could serves as its past tense. en.wikipedia.org
  3. 3
    contrary to factverb
    Used to express an ability or possibility that exists only in an imagined, contrary-to-fact situation.

    If we had a car, we could visit them more often.

    If she had kept up with her studies, she could have become a doctor.

    UsageOften used with if or wish: I wish I could fly. For an unreal past possibility, use could have + past participle.

    Note

    Here the past shape points away from reality, not back in time. With have and a participle it looks back at a chance that was missed, and it often carries a note of reproach, as in you could have done the dishes, at least.

  4. 4
    offer an optionverb
    Used to put forward an option as a suggestion without pressing it.

    You could ask your neighbor to feed the cat.

    We could go tomorrow instead.

    UsageYou could + verb makes a gentle suggestion; we could always offers a fallback.

    Similarmight

Less common meanings

  1. 5
    asking a favorverb
    Used to make a polite request, either asking someone to do something or asking for permission.

    Could you turn the music down a little?

    Could you call me back this afternoon?

    UsageCould you + verb asks for help and Could I + verb asks permission; both sound softer than can.

    Similarwould, can

  2. 6
    what-ifsnouncountable
    The modal as a noun, a possibility, almost always plural and in company with 'woulds' and 'shoulds' ('the woulds, the coulds, and the shoulds').

    The coach wanted no coulds, only results.

    Late at night, her mind filled with the woulds, coulds, and shoulds of the past year.

    Note

    The modal turned noun turns up in writing about golf and personal growth, sometimes in a list with its neighbors. One writer says the woulds, the coulds, and the shoulds; another says woulds, shoulds and coulds. The order and the company can vary. The plural is regular, coulds, and the noun names possibilities that crowd the mind and get in the way of acting.

    Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

    • The noun appears in writing about golf, with the wording 'the woulds, the coulds, and the shoulds'. en.wiktionary.org
    • Another writer uses 'woulds, shoulds and coulds' in writing about personal growth. en.wiktionary.org
    • The company is not obligatory. Kaiser Permanente's self-talk handout uses 'coulds' in contrast with 'shoulds', without 'woulds'. This also refutes 'The order is free, but the company is not.' mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org
  3. 7
    verb
    Past participle of can, meaning been able to; obsolete except in Geordie speech of north-east England.
    I haven't could sleep.
    1981, Anthony Warner, English Auxiliaries: Structure and History

could is a form of can

can, verb: To be able to do something, through ability, skill, knowledge, or opportunity (I can lift it; She can speak three languages). Full entry

Forms
can also he/she/itcanning -ing formcould past tensecanned past participle
Spelling
can → could: irregular (no -ed)

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of could apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

Old English cūþe, a past indicative and subjunctive form of cunnan ("to be able"), became Middle English coude. Cunnan is also related to English couth. Writers added the -l- in the early 16th century to match should and would, and for a time this analogy changed the pronunciation as well.