Definitions For Could

Noun

COULD (plural COULDs) Something that could happen, or could be the case, under different circumstances; a potentiality.

Verb

Simple past tense of can : Before I was blind, I could see very well. : I think he could do it if he really wanted to. : I wish I could fly! . : . : . : . :

Derived terms

could care less could've couldn't (negative form of could) couldst (archaic second-person of could)

Related terms

can should would

Alternative forms

coud cou’d

Etymology

From Middle English coude, couthe, cuthe, from , past indicative and past subjunctive form of cunnan, , to be able (compare related cūþ, whence English couth). The silent 'l' was added in the early 16th century by analogy with should and would, at which time the 'l' in those words was already also silent (and was sometimes not written, leading to shudd, wode, etc).Christopher Upward, George Davidson, The History of English Spelling (2011), section "Silent L"