verb A1 Beginner Very common

could

kuhd

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Could (verb) means used to express ability, possibility, or permission in the past, or politely in the present. Example: “She could speak three languages by the age of ten.”

verb

Used to express ability, possibility, or permission in the past, or politely in the present.

"She could speak three languages by the age of ten."

"Could you pass the salt, please?"

"When I was little, I could climb any tree in the garden."

How to use could

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe past tense of "can," also used to make polite requests or talk about possibilities.

Common mistake

Write "could have," not "could of" — the confusion comes from how "could've" sounds when spoken.

Common pairings

could have could not could you

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Singular: couldst, couldest, could'st
Plural: coulds

Test yourself on “could” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She _____ speak three languages by the age of ten.

Etymology

From Old English cūþe, the past tense of cunnan ("to be able"). The "l" was added in the 1500s by analogy with should and would, even though it was never pronounced.

Origin: Old English · First attested 1500

Class of 1500 could joined the language around 1500.

acknowledge amok asthma atlas axis

See the full Class of 1500 →

Synonyms

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might may would be able to was able to

Related words

can may might power force Mary strength muscle

Rhymes for could

would mould Gould should

See all rhymes for could →

Frequently asked questions

What does “could” mean?

The word “could” means used to express ability, possibility, or permission in the past, or politely in the present. In plain terms, the past tense of "can," also used to make polite requests or talk about possibilities.

How do you pronounce “could”?

“Could” is pronounced kuhd (/kəd/ in IPA).

How do you use “could” in a sentence?

Here is “could” used in a sentence: “She could speak three languages by the age of ten.”

What part of speech is “could”?

“Could” is a verb.

Where does the word “could” come from?

The word “could” dates back to around 1500 and comes from Old English. From Old English cūþe, the past tense of cunnan ("to be able"). The "l" was added in the 1500s by analogy with should and would, even though it was never pronounced.

Is “could” a common word?

“Could” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

What is the difference between could and can?

Can expresses present ability or permission, as in 'I can swim.' Could is its past form ('I could swim as a child') and is also used in the present to sound more polite or tentative, as in 'Could you help me?' Could often signals possibility rather than certainty.

What is the difference between could and would?

Could expresses possibility or ability, that is, what is achievable. Would expresses willingness, intention, or the result of a condition, that is, what someone chooses or how things turn out. 'I could help' means I am able to; 'I would help' means I am willing to.

What is the difference between could and might?

Both express possibility, but might often suggests a slightly lower or more uncertain chance, while could emphasizes that something is possible or achievable. In practice they overlap heavily: 'It could rain' and 'It might rain' carry almost the same meaning in everyday speech.

What is an example of could in a sentence?

'When I was younger, I could run for miles without stopping.' Here could shows past ability. Other examples include 'Could you pass the salt?' as a polite request, and 'This could be the answer,' expressing present possibility rather than something certain.

Example sentences

Real-world examples showing could in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.

There are definite signs Mount and Santos could form a very productive partnership.

From BBC Sport · Jul 25, 2026

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