Definition of could in English:

could

modal verbkədkʊd

1
past of can
Example sentencesExamples
- It felt symbolic of the trip - taking a leap of faith and finding you could exceed your limits.
- We could see nothing except for the next few curves as the path climbed relentlessly into the clouds.
- How did you go about putting that into words so you could file a sensible report to camera?
- The budgie knew his name, address and telephone number and could sing Three Blind Mice.
- From Point Baptiste, we could see the low outline of the French island of Marie Galante.
- Yet if its occurrence could be measured on this basis, it would be found to be non-existent.
- So I had to learn every aspect as much as I could, in order to get through it and make it.
- That meant we could catch the light and sound show in the evening.
- I was stunned by the sheer volume of sound that twenty five singers could make.
- The first thing to go for was a decent wash in fresh water as we could only have salt water to wash in on board.
- Seven bridges were built so that the people of the city could get from one part to another.
- Several families had to untie bikes from the backs of their cars before they could gain access to the boot.
- It tried as hard as it could to rally in the third, but the game had long been out of reach.
- After the show, back at the stable lines, Barbara explained that I could ride a bit.
- All that anyone could do at that point was stay back and watch the mesmerizing scene.
- We could hear the clear belling from inside the patch of forest in the valley.
- I once read that in battle the most dangerous thing you could do was run away.
- My boyfriend and I wanted to sign up for the class so that we could take it together for fun.
- I made as if to look suitably impressed, but hardly felt that I could compare notes.
- He couldn't handle both of them at once, and he had to get rid of her after she'd seen him.
1. 1.1 Used to indicate possibility.
  可能
  they could be right
  他们可能是对的。
  I would go if I could afford it
  如果负担得起我会去的。
  Example sentencesExamples
  In theory at least, this implies that adding telomerase to cells could rejuvenate them.
  One could say that it was not as good as in a strictly Italian resto, but still it was very good.
  He then asked her record company if he could duet with her and was rejected.
  We have good speed and we thought we could pressure them with just a straight pass rush.
  There will be a possibility that police could give advice to members of the public in the room.
  It could force the service to be closed permanently.
  In fact, he pours cold water on any suggestion he could be a future coach of the club.
  He only saw the formula in its microscopic form and didn't realize that it could be macroscopic.
  There is also the possibility that it could be used to re-examine unsolved crimes.
  It is not beyond the realm of possibility that a deal could have been struck.
  Early suggestions were that this could be for two days a week, but it has so far been restricted to twice a year.
  Don't put it in the hollow of the cheek in an attempt to shade your face, or it could end up looking like a dirty smudge.
  He could have bowed out gracefully at any time and it looked like he might, but now this.
  We are supposed to imagine that this telephone conversation could be taking place right now.
  In theory, you could spend all day every day in the environs of your bungalow.
  One possibility is that he could be sent abroad, but in practice this rarely happens.
  When we arrived, the sand was so crisp and clean it could have just come back from the Atlantic laundry.
  They could well afford it, given the millions they rake in from the motoring public.
  If my guess is correct then your problem could be related to ageing or some other cause.
  He bristles at the notion that his views could be seen as disloyal to his country.
2. 1.2 Used in making suggestions or polite requests.
  （用于礼貌的请求）可以；能够
  you could always ring him up
  你可以随时给他打电话。
  could I use the phone?
  我可以用这个电话吗？
  Example sentencesExamples
  Is there a small heater you could recommend for when the icy weather returns?
  We had a letter to say they had not received the form and could I make a request for a new one.
  Where did you find the information that you used to write it, and could you suggest a few books for me?
  I would be grateful if any readers could tell me more.
3. 1.3 Used to indicate annoyance because of something that has not been done.
  （对未做的事情表示恼怒）本可以；本来应该
  they could have told me!
  他们本该告诉我的！
4. 1.4 Used to indicate a strong inclination to do something.
  （表示做某事的强烈愿望）想要
  he irritates me so much that I could scream
  他让我如此恼怒，以至于我都想尖叫了。

Usage

For a discussion on the use of could of instead of could have, see have

Rhymes

good, hood, Likud, misunderstood, pud, should, stood, understood, withstood, wood, would

Definition of could in US English:

could

modal verb

1
past of can
Example sentencesExamples
- It felt symbolic of the trip - taking a leap of faith and finding you could exceed your limits.
- All that anyone could do at that point was stay back and watch the mesmerizing scene.
- We could see nothing except for the next few curves as the path climbed relentlessly into the clouds.
- I made as if to look suitably impressed, but hardly felt that I could compare notes.
- We could hear the clear belling from inside the patch of forest in the valley.
- He couldn't handle both of them at once, and he had to get rid of her after she'd seen him.
- The budgie knew his name, address and telephone number and could sing Three Blind Mice.
- From Point Baptiste, we could see the low outline of the French island of Marie Galante.
- I was stunned by the sheer volume of sound that twenty five singers could make.
- The first thing to go for was a decent wash in fresh water as we could only have salt water to wash in on board.
- Several families had to untie bikes from the backs of their cars before they could gain access to the boot.
- After the show, back at the stable lines, Barbara explained that I could ride a bit.
- That meant we could catch the light and sound show in the evening.
- How did you go about putting that into words so you could file a sensible report to camera?
- So I had to learn every aspect as much as I could, in order to get through it and make it.
- I once read that in battle the most dangerous thing you could do was run away.
- Yet if its occurrence could be measured on this basis, it would be found to be non-existent.
- It tried as hard as it could to rally in the third, but the game had long been out of reach.
- My boyfriend and I wanted to sign up for the class so that we could take it together for fun.
- Seven bridges were built so that the people of the city could get from one part to another.
1. 1.1 Used to indicate possibility.
  可能
  they could be right
  他们可能是对的。
  I would go if I could afford it
  如果负担得起我会去的。
  Example sentencesExamples
  It is not beyond the realm of possibility that a deal could have been struck.
  He only saw the formula in its microscopic form and didn't realize that it could be macroscopic.
  One could say that it was not as good as in a strictly Italian resto, but still it was very good.
  There is also the possibility that it could be used to re-examine unsolved crimes.
  There will be a possibility that police could give advice to members of the public in the room.
  In theory at least, this implies that adding telomerase to cells could rejuvenate them.
  We are supposed to imagine that this telephone conversation could be taking place right now.
  It could force the service to be closed permanently.
  One possibility is that he could be sent abroad, but in practice this rarely happens.
  When we arrived, the sand was so crisp and clean it could have just come back from the Atlantic laundry.
  They could well afford it, given the millions they rake in from the motoring public.
  We have good speed and we thought we could pressure them with just a straight pass rush.
  In theory, you could spend all day every day in the environs of your bungalow.
  If my guess is correct then your problem could be related to ageing or some other cause.
  He then asked her record company if he could duet with her and was rejected.
  Don't put it in the hollow of the cheek in an attempt to shade your face, or it could end up looking like a dirty smudge.
  He bristles at the notion that his views could be seen as disloyal to his country.
  Early suggestions were that this could be for two days a week, but it has so far been restricted to twice a year.
  In fact, he pours cold water on any suggestion he could be a future coach of the club.
  He could have bowed out gracefully at any time and it looked like he might, but now this.
2. 1.2 Used in making polite requests.
  （用于礼貌的请求）可以；能够
  could I use the phone?
  我可以用这个电话吗？
  Example sentencesExamples
  I would be grateful if any readers could tell me more.
  Where did you find the information that you used to write it, and could you suggest a few books for me?
  Is there a small heater you could recommend for when the icy weather returns?
  We had a letter to say they had not received the form and could I make a request for a new one.
3. 1.3 Used to indicate annoyance because of something that has not been done.
  （对未做的事情表示恼怒）本可以；本来应该
  they could have told me!
  他们本该告诉我的！
4. 1.4 Used to indicate a strong inclination to do something.
  （表示做某事的强烈愿望）想要
  he irritates me so much that I could scream
  他让我如此恼怒，以至于我都想尖叫了。

词汇	could
释义	Definition of could in English: could modal verbkədkʊd 1 past of can Example sentencesExamples It felt symbolic of the trip - taking a leap of faith and finding you could exceed your limits. We could see nothing except for the next few curves as the path climbed relentlessly into the clouds. How did you go about putting that into words so you could file a sensible report to camera? The budgie knew his name, address and telephone number and could sing Three Blind Mice. From Point Baptiste, we could see the low outline of the French island of Marie Galante. Yet if its occurrence could be measured on this basis, it would be found to be non-existent. So I had to learn every aspect as much as I could, in order to get through it and make it. That meant we could catch the light and sound show in the evening. I was stunned by the sheer volume of sound that twenty five singers could make. The first thing to go for was a decent wash in fresh water as we could only have salt water to wash in on board. Seven bridges were built so that the people of the city could get from one part to another. Several families had to untie bikes from the backs of their cars before they could gain access to the boot. It tried as hard as it could to rally in the third, but the game had long been out of reach. After the show, back at the stable lines, Barbara explained that I could ride a bit. All that anyone could do at that point was stay back and watch the mesmerizing scene. We could hear the clear belling from inside the patch of forest in the valley. I once read that in battle the most dangerous thing you could do was run away. My boyfriend and I wanted to sign up for the class so that we could take it together for fun. I made as if to look suitably impressed, but hardly felt that I could compare notes. He couldn't handle both of them at once, and he had to get rid of her after she'd seen him. 1.1 Used to indicate possibility. 可能 they could be right 他们可能是对的。 I would go if I could afford it 如果负担得起我会去的。 Example sentencesExamples In theory at least, this implies that adding telomerase to cells could rejuvenate them. One could say that it was not as good as in a strictly Italian resto, but still it was very good. He then asked her record company if he could duet with her and was rejected. We have good speed and we thought we could pressure them with just a straight pass rush. There will be a possibility that police could give advice to members of the public in the room. It could force the service to be closed permanently. In fact, he pours cold water on any suggestion he could be a future coach of the club. He only saw the formula in its microscopic form and didn't realize that it could be macroscopic. There is also the possibility that it could be used to re-examine unsolved crimes. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that a deal could have been struck. Early suggestions were that this could be for two days a week, but it has so far been restricted to twice a year. Don't put it in the hollow of the cheek in an attempt to shade your face, or it could end up looking like a dirty smudge. He could have bowed out gracefully at any time and it looked like he might, but now this. We are supposed to imagine that this telephone conversation could be taking place right now. In theory, you could spend all day every day in the environs of your bungalow. One possibility is that he could be sent abroad, but in practice this rarely happens. When we arrived, the sand was so crisp and clean it could have just come back from the Atlantic laundry. They could well afford it, given the millions they rake in from the motoring public. If my guess is correct then your problem could be related to ageing or some other cause. He bristles at the notion that his views could be seen as disloyal to his country. 1.2 Used in making suggestions or polite requests. （用于礼貌的请求）可以；能够 you could always ring him up 你可以随时给他打电话。 could I use the phone? 我可以用这个电话吗？ Example sentencesExamples Is there a small heater you could recommend for when the icy weather returns? We had a letter to say they had not received the form and could I make a request for a new one. Where did you find the information that you used to write it, and could you suggest a few books for me? I would be grateful if any readers could tell me more. 1.3 Used to indicate annoyance because of something that has not been done. （对未做的事情表示恼怒）本可以；本来应该 they could have told me! 他们本该告诉我的！ 1.4 Used to indicate a strong inclination to do something. （表示做某事的强烈愿望）想要 he irritates me so much that I could scream 他让我如此恼怒，以至于我都想尖叫了。 Usage For a discussion on the use of could of instead of could have, see have Rhymes good, hood, Likud, misunderstood, pud, should, stood, understood, withstood, wood, would Definition of could in US English: could modal verb 1 past of can Example sentencesExamples It felt symbolic of the trip - taking a leap of faith and finding you could exceed your limits. All that anyone could do at that point was stay back and watch the mesmerizing scene. We could see nothing except for the next few curves as the path climbed relentlessly into the clouds. I made as if to look suitably impressed, but hardly felt that I could compare notes. We could hear the clear belling from inside the patch of forest in the valley. He couldn't handle both of them at once, and he had to get rid of her after she'd seen him. The budgie knew his name, address and telephone number and could sing Three Blind Mice. From Point Baptiste, we could see the low outline of the French island of Marie Galante. I was stunned by the sheer volume of sound that twenty five singers could make. The first thing to go for was a decent wash in fresh water as we could only have salt water to wash in on board. Several families had to untie bikes from the backs of their cars before they could gain access to the boot. After the show, back at the stable lines, Barbara explained that I could ride a bit. That meant we could catch the light and sound show in the evening. How did you go about putting that into words so you could file a sensible report to camera? So I had to learn every aspect as much as I could, in order to get through it and make it. I once read that in battle the most dangerous thing you could do was run away. Yet if its occurrence could be measured on this basis, it would be found to be non-existent. It tried as hard as it could to rally in the third, but the game had long been out of reach. My boyfriend and I wanted to sign up for the class so that we could take it together for fun. Seven bridges were built so that the people of the city could get from one part to another. 1.1 Used to indicate possibility. 可能 they could be right 他们可能是对的。 I would go if I could afford it 如果负担得起我会去的。 Example sentencesExamples It is not beyond the realm of possibility that a deal could have been struck. He only saw the formula in its microscopic form and didn't realize that it could be macroscopic. One could say that it was not as good as in a strictly Italian resto, but still it was very good. There is also the possibility that it could be used to re-examine unsolved crimes. There will be a possibility that police could give advice to members of the public in the room. In theory at least, this implies that adding telomerase to cells could rejuvenate them. We are supposed to imagine that this telephone conversation could be taking place right now. It could force the service to be closed permanently. One possibility is that he could be sent abroad, but in practice this rarely happens. When we arrived, the sand was so crisp and clean it could have just come back from the Atlantic laundry. They could well afford it, given the millions they rake in from the motoring public. We have good speed and we thought we could pressure them with just a straight pass rush. In theory, you could spend all day every day in the environs of your bungalow. If my guess is correct then your problem could be related to ageing or some other cause. He then asked her record company if he could duet with her and was rejected. Don't put it in the hollow of the cheek in an attempt to shade your face, or it could end up looking like a dirty smudge. He bristles at the notion that his views could be seen as disloyal to his country. Early suggestions were that this could be for two days a week, but it has so far been restricted to twice a year. In fact, he pours cold water on any suggestion he could be a future coach of the club. He could have bowed out gracefully at any time and it looked like he might, but now this. 1.2 Used in making polite requests. （用于礼貌的请求）可以；能够 could I use the phone? 我可以用这个电话吗？ Example sentencesExamples I would be grateful if any readers could tell me more. Where did you find the information that you used to write it, and could you suggest a few books for me? Is there a small heater you could recommend for when the icy weather returns? We had a letter to say they had not received the form and could I make a request for a new one. 1.3 Used to indicate annoyance because of something that has not been done. （对未做的事情表示恼怒）本可以；本来应该 they could have told me! 他们本该告诉我的！ 1.4 Used to indicate a strong inclination to do something. （表示做某事的强烈愿望）想要 he irritates me so much that I could scream 他让我如此恼怒，以至于我都想尖叫了。
随便看	knowledge work knowledge worker knowledging knowledgment know like the back of one's hand know-little known known known about known as knowness known man know no bounds know no bounds know-nothing know nothing bad about know nothing damning about know-nothingism know-nothingism know-nothingness know-not-what known quantity know one's onions know one's onions know one's own mind