could

[koo d; unstressed kuh d] /kʊd; unstressed kəd/
verb
1.
a simple past tense of can1 .
auxiliary verb
2.
(used to express possibility):
I wonder who that could be at the door. That couldn't be true.
3.
(used to express conditional possibility or ability):
You could do it if you tried.
4.
(used in making polite requests):
Could you open the door for me, please?
5.
(used in asking for permission):
Could I borrow your pen?
6.
(used in offering suggestions or advice):
You could write and ask for more information. You could at least have called me.
Origin
Middle English coude, Old English cūthe; modern -l- (from would, should) first attested 1520-30
Can be confused
could, should, would (see usage note at should)
Usage note
See care.

can1

[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.
1.
to be able to; have the ability, power, or skill to:
She can solve the problem easily, I'm sure.
2.
to know how to:
He can play chess, although he's not particularly good at it.
3.
to have the power or means to:
A dictator can impose his will on the people.
4.
to have the right or qualifications to:
He can change whatever he wishes in the script.
5.
may; have permission to:
Can I speak to you for a moment?
6.
to have the possibility:
A coin can land on either side.
verb (used with object), verb (used 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 cunning.
7.
Obsolete. to know.
Origin
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, know
Can be confused
can, may, shall, will (see usage note at the current entry; see usage note at shall; see synonym study at will)
Usage note
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.

can2

[kan] /kæn/
noun
1.
a sealed container for food, beverages, etc., as of aluminum, sheet iron coated with tin, or other metal:
a can of soup.
2.
a receptacle for garbage, ashes, etc.:
a trash can.
3.
a bucket, pail, or other container for holding or carrying liquids:
water can.
4.
a drinking cup; tankard.
5.
a metal or plastic container for holding film on cores or reels.
6.
Slang: Usually Vulgar. toilet; bathroom.
7.
Slang. jail:
He's been in the can for a week.
8.
Slang: Sometimes Vulgar. buttocks.
9.
Military Slang.
  1. a depth charge.
  2. a destroyer.
verb (used with object), canned, canning.
10.
to preserve by sealing in a can, jar, etc.
11.
Slang. to dismiss; fire.
12.
Slang. to throw (something) away.
13.
Slang. to put a stop to:
Can that noise!
14.
to record, as on film or tape.
Idioms
15.
carry the can, British and Canadian Slang. to take the responsibility.
16.
in the can, recorded on film; completed:
The movie is in the can and ready for release.
Origin
before 1000; Middle English, Old English canne, cognate with German Kanne, Old Norse kanna, all perhaps < West Germanic; compare Late Latin canna small vessel
Examples from the web for could
  • The current deficit could be the peak, but only for the short term.
  • The bill does make some changes that could be positive.
  • Plant-based fuel could be coming to a gas station near you.
  • We deposed the false queen and created a situation where the bees could make a new leader.
  • It could be your neighbor, your best friend, your father.
  • Our approach to holiday leftovers could help us eat better all year long.
  • But three new studies support the view that such a move would be justified and could bring large benefits.
  • She did not shift her feet during the recital-perhaps because the old wooden floor planks could creak loudly.
  • Anyone that had eyes could see we'd slaughtered an army of the little nasties.
  • State officials, political parties and voting experts have all said that the impact could be sizable.
British Dictionary definitions for could

could

/kʊd/
verb takes an infinitive without to or an implied infinitive
1.
used as an auxiliary to make the past tense of can1
2.
used as an auxiliary, esp in polite requests or in conditional sentences, to make the subjunctive mood of can1 could I see you tonight?, she'd telephone if she could
3.
used as an auxiliary to indicate suggestion of a course of action: you could take the car tomorrow if it's raining
4.
(often foll by well) used as an auxiliary to indicate a possibility: he could well be a spy
Word Origin
Old English cūthe; influenced by would, should; see can1

can1

/kæn; unstressed kən/
verb (intransitive) (past) could takes an infinitive without to or an implied infinitive
1.
used as an auxiliary to indicate ability, skill, or fitness to perform a task: I can run a mile in under four minutes
2.
used as an auxiliary to indicate permission or the right to something: can I have a drink?
3.
used as an auxiliary to indicate knowledge of how to do something: he can speak three languages fluently
4.
used as an auxiliary to indicate the possibility, opportunity, or likelihood: my trainer says I can win the race if I really work hard
may1
Word Origin
Old English cunnan; related to Old Norse kunna, Old High German kunnan, Latin cognōscere to know, Sanskrit jānāti he knows; see ken, uncouth

can2

/kæn/
noun
1.
a container, esp for liquids, usually of thin sheet metal: a petrol can, beer can
2.
another name (esp US) for tin (sense 2)
3.
Also called canful. the contents of a can or the amount a can will hold
4.
a slang word for prison
5.
(US & Canadian) a slang word for toilet or buttocks See toilet
6.
(US, navy) a slang word for destroyer
7.
(navy, slang) a depth charge
8.
a shallow cylindrical metal container of varying size used for storing and handling film
9.
(informal) can of worms, a complicated problem
10.
carry the can, See carry (sense 37)
11.
in the can
  1. (of a film, piece of music, etc) having been recorded, processed, edited, etc
  2. (informal) arranged or agreed: the contract is almost in the can
verb cans, canning, canned
12.
to put (food, etc) into a can or cans; preserve in a can
13.
(transitive) (US, slang) to dismiss from a job
14.
(transitive) (US, informal) to stop (doing something annoying or making an annoying noise) (esp in the phrase can it!)
15.
(transitive) (informal) to reject or discard
Word Origin
Old English canne; related to Old Norse, Old High German kanna, Irish gann, Swedish kana sled
Word Origin and History for could
v.

Old English cuðe, past tense of cunnan "to be able" (see can (v.1)); ending changed 14c. to standard English -d(e). The excrescent -l- was added 15c.-16c. on model of would, should, where it is historical.

can

v.

Old English 1st & 3rd person singular present indicative of cunnan "know, have power to, be able," (also "to have carnal knowledge"), from Proto-Germanic *kunnan "to be mentally able, to have learned" (cf. Old Norse kenna "to know, make known," Old Frisian kanna "to recognize, admit," German kennen "to know," Gothic kannjan "to make known"), from PIE root *gno- (see know).

Absorbing the third sense of "to know," that of "to know how to do something" (in addition to "to know as a fact" and "to be acquainted with" something or someone). An Old English preterite-present verb, its original past participle, couth, survived only in its negation (see uncouth), but cf. could. The present participle has spun off as cunning.

"to put up in cans," 1860, from can (n.1). Sense of "to fire an employee" is from 1905. Related: Canned; canning.

n.

Old English canne "a cup, container," from Proto-Germanic *kanna (cf. Old Saxon, Old Norse, Swedish kanna, Middle Dutch kanne, Dutch kan, Old High German channa, German Kanne). Probably an early borrowing from Late Latin canna "container, vessel," from Latin canna "reed," also "reed pipe, small boat;" but the sense evolution is difficult.

Modern "air-tight vessel of tinned iron" is from 1867 (can-opener is from 1877). Slang meaning "toilet" is c.1900, said to be a shortening of piss-can. Meaning "buttocks" is from c.1910.

Slang definitions & phrases for could

can

noun
  1. A toilet; john •Said to be a shortening of pisscan (1900+)
  2. The buttocks; rump; ass: And that's when I asked her about her fat can (1910+)
  3. A jail or prison; cell (1910+)
  4. A destroyer; tin can (1930s+ Navy)
  5. A hot rod (1950s+ Hot rodders)
  6. An ounce of marijuana or other narcotic (1930s+ Narcotics)
  7. canvasback duck: I know there are a lot of hunters here this weekend to try for cans (1990s+)
verb
  1. To discharge an employee; fire: He is not the first commentator to be canned by an editor (1905+)
  2. To stop; cease, esp some objectionable behavior •Usu a stern command: Let's can the noise (1906+)
  3. : They caught him and canned him for two weeks
  4. To score by throwing a basket: Shaq canned another 20-footer (1980s+ Basketball)
Related Terms

ash can, get a can on, in the can, kicking can, shitcan, tie a can on someone, tin can


Related Abbreviations for could

CAN

cancer (constellation)
Idioms and Phrases with could

could

see:
also see under:

can

also see:
also see under:
can't