could
11 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of COULD
[modal verb]
1
— used as the past tense of can
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When I was younger I could run fast, but I can't run fast now.
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Years ago you could buy a record album for a quarter.
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The car cost more than I could afford, so I bought a cheaper model.
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From where we stood, we could see for miles.
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She could be very rude at times. [=she was sometimes very rude]
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He never could quite fit in with the group.
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She said we could do whatever we wanted. [=she said, “You can do whatever you want.”]
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How could something like this happen?
2
a
— used to say that something is possible
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You could [=might, may] be making the biggest mistake of your life!
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This could be our only chance to get out of here.
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His recovery could take months.
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This medicine could help your cold.
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The evidence is not conclusive, but he could (very well) be right.
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This news could mean trouble.
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Did you think he could still be alive?
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That kind of thing could happen to anyone.
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They could still succeed, although it's not likely.
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I think he could be trying to cheat us.
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Do you think he could [=can] really be serious?
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Could this be our ride? [=is this our ride?]
b
— used with have to say that something was possible but did not actually happen
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You could have been seriously hurt.
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The accident could have been worse.
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The movie could have been better. [=the movie wasn't very good]
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They could have succeeded if they had worked harder.
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The error could have lost the game for them.
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We could just as easily have fixed the engine ourselves.
c
— used to talk about something that is not possible but that is hoped or wished for
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We would go if only we could—but unfortunately we can't.
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We would have gone if only we could have—but unfortunately we couldn't.
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I wish I could fly! = (formal) Would that I could fly!
3
— used in speech to make a polite request or suggestion
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Could you please pass me the salt?
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Could [=Can] I leave a little early today?
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If you could come early, we would be pleased.
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“Could I do it tomorrow instead of today?” “Yes, you can.”
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Could I get you a cup of coffee? [=do you want a cup of coffee?]
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If tape doesn't work, you could try glue.
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“Where can I stay?” “Well, you could always stay with me.”
4
— used to say that you are annoyed by something that was or was not done
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He could have at least paid for dessert!
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Why are you always late? You could try being on time for once!
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If she wasn't going to make it, she could have called.
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You could at least tell me why you were late!
5
— used in statements that express a strong emotional reaction
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I could have died of embarrassment! [=I was very embarrassed]
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I could just kill him! [=I am very angry at him]
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When she told me I'd won, I could almost have hugged her! [=I felt like hugging her]
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I'm so frustrated I could scream! [=I feel like screaming]
6
— used in statements that describe something as very bad, good, etc.
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What could be better than this?
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Registering could not be simpler. [=registering is very simple]
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I could hardly be more pleased [=I'm very pleased] with the way things are going.
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The situation couldn't be worse/better. [=the situation is as bad/good as it can be]
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I couldn't be happier [=I'm very happy] with the way our new kitchen looks.
could care less
could do with
◊ If you could do with something, you need it or would be helped by getting or having it.
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Is there a restaurant nearby? I could do with something to eat.
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This room could do with a fresh coat of paint.
