Pronunciation

/kʊd/

Definitions

• Verb: To have the ability or possibility to do something; to be capable or able to. For example: “I could swim when I was five years old.”
• Modal verb: Used to express ability, permission, possibility, or contingency. It often follows the auxiliary verb “can.” For example: “You could try that approach.”

Phrases

• “Could you please…?” is a polite request.
• “I could care less” means one does not care about something.
• “She couldn’t have known” implies impossibility of knowledge.

Example Sentences

• Verb: “I could finish this project by tomorrow if I work overtime.”
• Modal verb: “You could ask your teacher for help with the math problem.”

Synonyms

• Can
• Might
• Be able to
• Have the ability to
• May

Antonyms

• Cannot
• Couldn’t
• Lack the ability to
• Be unable to