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Definitions for Could

[1] a simple past tense of can1.
[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.
[7] to be able to; have the ability, power, or skill to: She can solve the problem easily, I'm sure.
[8] to know how to: He can play chess, although he's not particularly good at it.
[9] to have the power or means to: A dictator can impose his will on the people.
[10] to have the right or qualifications to: He can change whatever he wishes in the script.
[11] may; have permission to: Can I speak to you for a moment?
[12] to have the possibility: A coin can land on either side.
[13] Obsolete . to know.
[14] a sealed container for food, beverages, etc., as of aluminum, sheet iron coated with tin, or other metal: a can of soup.
[15] a receptacle for garbage, ashes, etc.: a trash can.
[16] a bucket, pail, or other container for holding or carrying liquids: water can.
[17] a drinking cup; tankard.
[18] a metal or plastic container for holding film on cores or reels.
[19] Slang : Usually Vulgar . toilet; bathroom.
[20] Slang . jail: He's been in the can for a week.
[21] Slang : Sometimes Vulgar . buttocks.
[22] cans, Slang . a set of headphones designed to cover the ears. Compare earbuds.
[23] Military Slang . a depth charge. a destroyer.
[24] to preserve by sealing in a can, jar, etc.
[25] Slang . to dismiss; fire.
[26] Slang . to throw (something) away.
[27] Slang . to put a stop to: Can that noise!
[28] to record, as on film or tape.
[29] used as an auxiliary to make the past tense of can 1
[30] used as an auxiliary, esp in polite requests or in conditional sentences, to make the subjunctive mood of can 1 could I see you tonight? ; she'd telephone if she could
[31] used as an auxiliary to indicate suggestion of a course of action you could take the car tomorrow if it's raining
[32] (often foll by well) used as an auxiliary to indicate a possibility he could well be a spy
[33] used as an auxiliary to indicate ability, skill, or fitness to perform a task I can run a mile in under four minutes
[34] used as an auxiliary to indicate permission or the right to something can I have a drink?
[35] used as an auxiliary to indicate knowledge of how to do something he can speak three languages fluently
[36] used as an auxiliary to indicate the possibility, opportunity, or likelihood my trainer says I can win the race if I really work hard
[37] a container, esp for liquids, usually of thin sheet metal a petrol can ; beer can
[38] another name (esp US) for tin (def. 2)
[39] Also called: canful the contents of a can or the amount a can will hold
[40] a slang word for prison
[41] US and Canadian a slang word for toilet or buttocks See toilet
[42] US navy a slang word for destroyer
[43] navy slang a depth charge
[44] a shallow cylindrical metal container of varying size used for storing and handling film
[45] can of worms informal a complicated problem
[46] carry the can See carry (def. 37)
[47] in the can (of a film, piece of music, etc) having been recorded, processed, edited, etc informal arranged or agreed the contract is almost in the can
[48] to put (food, etc) into a can or cans; preserve in a can
[49] (tr) US slang to dismiss from a job
[50] (tr) US informal to stop (doing something annoying or making an annoying noise) (esp in the phrase can it! )
[51] (tr) informal to reject or discard

Words related to Could

keep, commit, manage, bottle, may, expel, terminate, dismiss, boot, sack, bounce, ax, cashier, discharge, could

Words nearby Could

cough mixture, cough reflex, cough syrup, cough up, coughlin, could, couldn't, couldn't care less, couldst, coulee, coulibiac

Origin of Could

an2before 1000; Middle English, Old English canne, cognate with German Kanne, Old Norse kanna, all perhaps < West Germanic; compare Late Latin canna small vessel

Words that may be confused with Could

WORDS, THAT, MAY, BE, CONFUSED, WITH, cancan, may, shall, will, (see, usage, note, at, the, current, entry), (see, usage, note, at, shall)

Word origin for Could

anOld English canne; related to Old Norse, Old High German kanna, Irish gann, Swedish kana sled

Synonyms for Could

keep, bottle, put up