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could
[ kood; unstressed kuhd ]
auxiliary verb
- a simple past tense of can 1.
- (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
/ ʊ /
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
she'd telephone if she could
could I see you tonight?
- 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
Usage Note
51Թ History and Origins
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of could1
Idioms and Phrases
see can (could) do with ; see with half an eye, could . Also see under can ; couldn't .Example Sentences
The zoo's animal care team is monitoring others that could still hatch in the coming weeks.
But who could be the next generation superstar for Great Britain?
"Maybe we could have tried more with strategy," Norris said.
Many areas outside of town and city centres could be susceptible to a light frost early in the week.
Lincolnshire Police said they were still awaiting formal identification, which they said could take some time.
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Related 51Թs
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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