Could: meaning, definitions and examples

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could

[ kʊd ]

Verb / Modal verb / Noun

Oxford 3000

^{Context #1 | Verb}

general

past of can

Synonyms

managed to, was able to.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
could	This word is often used to talk about general abilities in the past or future possibilities. It is also common in polite requests or suggestions. When I was a child, I could swim very well. Could you please pass me the salt? Maybe we could go to the park tomorrow.
was able to	This phrase is used to talk about specific moments in the past when someone had the ability to do something. It can also be used for general abilities in more formal contexts. She was able to complete the assignment before the deadline. Thanks to his training, he was able to lift the heavy box. They were able to find a solution quickly.
managed to	This phrase emphasizes that someone successfully did something challenging or difficult. It highlights the effort and difficulty involved. Despite the heavy traffic, she managed to arrive on time. He managed to fix the car after hours of work. They managed to save enough money for the trip.

Word

Description / Examples

could

This word is often used to talk about general abilities in the past or future possibilities. It is also common in polite requests or suggestions.

When I was a child, I could swim very well.
Could you please pass me the salt?
Maybe we could go to the park tomorrow.

was able to

This phrase is used to talk about specific moments in the past when someone had the ability to do something. It can also be used for general abilities in more formal contexts.

She was able to complete the assignment before the deadline.
Thanks to his training, he was able to lift the heavy box.
They were able to find a solution quickly.

managed to

This phrase emphasizes that someone successfully did something challenging or difficult. It highlights the effort and difficulty involved.

Despite the heavy traffic, she managed to arrive on time.
He managed to fix the car after hours of work.
They managed to save enough money for the trip.

Examples of usage

I could swim when I was younger.
He could speak three languages fluently.

^{Context #2 | Modal verb}

possibility

used to express possibility

Synonyms

may, might.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
could	In the same manner, 'could' can also be used to suggest a future possibility. We could go to the beach this weekend if the weather is nice. He could get the job if he applies.
might	Use 'might' to express a lower possibility compared to 'may' or 'could'. It can also be used to suggest a hypothetical situation. I might go to the gym later, but I haven't decided yet. If you left now, you might catch the bus. He might not know the answer.
may	Use 'may' to express possibility, permission, or a polite offer. 'May' has a slightly more formal tone than 'might'. You may leave the room now. She may come to the party, but she isn’t sure yet. May I help you with your luggage?

Word

Description / Examples

could

In the same manner, 'could' can also be used to suggest a future possibility.

We could go to the beach this weekend if the weather is nice.
He could get the job if he applies.

might

Use 'might' to express a lower possibility compared to 'may' or 'could'. It can also be used to suggest a hypothetical situation.

I might go to the gym later, but I haven't decided yet.
If you left now, you might catch the bus.
He might not know the answer.

may

Use 'may' to express possibility, permission, or a polite offer. 'May' has a slightly more formal tone than 'might'.

You may leave the room now.
She may come to the party, but she isn’t sure yet.
May I help you with your luggage?

Examples of usage

It could rain later.
She could be at home by now.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

slang

a prison sentence

Synonyms

jail time, prison term.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
could	Use 'could' to talk about something that is possible or might happen. I could go to the store later if I have time. He could be at home now, not sure though.
prison term	Use 'prison term' to describe the duration of a prison sentence, often used in formal or legal contexts. The judge handed down a ten-year prison term for the convicted felon. His prison term could be reduced for good behavior.
jail time	Use 'jail time' when referring to the duration someone is to spend in jail. Often used in more casual or conversational contexts. He was sentenced to six months of jail time for the theft. How much jail time do you think he'll get for this crime?

Word

Description / Examples

could

Use 'could' to talk about something that is possible or might happen.

I could go to the store later if I have time.
He could be at home now, not sure though.

prison term

Use 'prison term' to describe the duration of a prison sentence, often used in formal or legal contexts.

The judge handed down a ten-year prison term for the convicted felon.
His prison term could be reduced for good behavior.

jail time

Use 'jail time' when referring to the duration someone is to spend in jail. Often used in more casual or conversational contexts.

He was sentenced to six months of jail time for the theft.
How much jail time do you think he'll get for this crime?

Examples of usage

He got a five-year stretch in the can for his crime.

Translations

Translations of the word "could" in other languages:

🇵🇹 poderia

poderia (possibilidade)
poderia (capacidade)

🇮🇳 सकता था (sakta tha)

सकता है (sakta hai)
कर सकता है (kar sakta hai)

🇩🇪 könnte

könnte (Möglichkeit)
könnte (Fähigkeit)

🇮🇩 bisa

bisa (kemungkinan)
bisa (kemampuan)

🇺🇦 міг

міг (можливість)
міг (здатність)

🇵🇱 mógł

mógł (możliwość)
mógł (zdolność)

🇯🇵 できた (dekita)

できる (dekiru)
可能でした (kanou deshita)

🇫🇷 pourrait

pourrait (possibilité)
pourrait (capacité)

🇪🇸 podría

podría (posibilidad)
podría (capacidad)

🇹🇷 olabilir

olabilirdi (olasılık)
yapabilirdi (yetenek)

🇰🇷 할 수 있었다 (hal su iss-eossda)

할 수 있다 (hal su itda)
가능했다 (ganunghaetda)

🇸🇦 قد

قد (إمكانية)
قد (قدرة)

🇨🇿 mohl

mohl (možnost)
mohl (schopnost)

🇸🇰 mohol

mohol (možnosť)
mohol (schopnosť)

🇨🇳 可以 (kěyǐ)

能够 (nénggòu)
会 (huì)

🇸🇮 bi lahko

bi lahko (možnost)
bi lahko (sposobnost)

🇮🇸 gæti

gæti (möguleiki)
gæti (hæfileiki)

🇰🇿 мүмкін

мүмкін (мүмкіндік)
қабілетті болу (қабілет)

🇬🇪 შეძლო (shezlo)

შეეძლო (sheeqlo)
შესაძლებლობა (shesadzleblobis)

🇦🇿 bilərdi

bilmək (imkan)
edə bilərdi (qabiliyyət)

🇲🇽 podría

podría (posibilidad)
podría (capacidad)

Etymology

The word 'could' originates from the Old English word 'cun' which meant 'know how to'. Over time, it evolved to 'couth' meaning 'known', and eventually to 'could' as we know it today. The modal use of 'could' to express possibility developed in Middle English. The slang term for a prison sentence likely comes from the idea of being 'contained' or 'imprisoned'.

See also: can, canal, cane, canine, caning, canister, canning, cannot, canopy, canteen.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #49, this is one of the most fundamental words in English. It's absolutely essential to master this word as it forms the backbone of English communication and appears in almost every conversation or text.

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46 what
47 under
48 first
49 could
50 very
51 over
52 between
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