The meaning of COULD is —used in auxiliary function in the past, in the past conditional, and as an alternative to can suggesting …

We use could to ask for permission. Could is more formal and polite than can: Could I ask you a personal question?

COULD definition: 1. past simple of "can", used to talk about what someone or something was able or allowed to do…. Learn more.

Sep 24, 2026 · Could I borrow your coat? Used to politely ask for someone else to do something. Could you proofread this email? I …

We use could to show that something is possible, but not certain: They could come by car. (= Maybe they will come by car.) They …

COULD definition: a simple past tense of can. See examples of could used in a sentence.

Could is also used to talk about ability in the present, but it has a special meaning. If you say that someone could do something, you …

This means that when we speak of a person's actions, in most cases he could have done otherwise, given the Stoics 'analysis of …

Definition of could modal verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, …

Apr 19, 2026 · In everyday conversation, could lets you soften requests, offer options, and talk about possible situations without …