could

Examples

• All

• When I was younger, I could run five miles without stopping.

• You could try restarting your computer to fix the problem.

• If you finish early, you could join us for dinner at the restaurant.

• She could swim when she was younger.

• If you finish early, you could join us for dinner at the restaurant.

• You could try restarting your computer to fix the problem.

• Could you could help me, Sarah?

Synonyms

C

can

vscould

∞ 1.0

To be able to do something or for something to be possible

includes past ability and polite or conditional uses

W

would

vscould

∞ 1.0

To express polite requests, preferences or imagined actions

covers possibility, past ability, and permission as real options

M

may

vscould

∞ 1.0

To show that something is allowed, possible or wished for

also covers past ability and polite requests not only permission

Antonyms

C

cannot

17 1.0

To not be able to do something

Idioms

C

to could care less

• Informal

52 9.1

To say you do not care at all, often to show you actually do care

C

to could eat a horse

• Informal

3 8.3

Very hungry and wanting to eat a lot

I

if looks could kill

• Informal

1 8.9

A very angry stare that seems like it could hurt someone

C

could have been an email

• Informal

7.5

A comment that a meeting is unnecessary because the information can be sent by email

A

a floor one could eat off

• Informal

7.5

A floor so clean you could eat from it

I

if these walls could talk

• Informal

9.1

An idea that a place could tell stories from its past

How Certain

must

62 1.0

can

∞ 1.0

could

∞ 1.0

may

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology