Definition Synonyms
Definition of could - Reverso English Dictionary
Auxiliary verb
1.
possibilityexpressing possibility or potential
- She could become a great artist one day.
2.
abilityindicating a past ability or permission
- When I was a child, I could climb trees easily.
3.
hypotheticalexpressing a hypothetical situation
- If I had more time, I could travel the world.
4.
polite requestused to make polite requests or offers
- Could you pass the salt, please?
5.
suggestionsuggests a course of action or advice
- You could try restarting your computer.
Expressions with could
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in the best way possible given the circumstances
I completed the project as best I could.
consider a choice not the worst option available
If you're hungry, you could do worse than this restaurant.
feeling extremely hungry and able to eat a lot
After the hike, I could eat a whole horse.
continue an activity for a long time without stopping
He could go all day playing basketball without getting tired.
is very sure about something that might not be true
I could have sworn I left my keys on the table!
express being able to hear very quiet sounds in silence
We could hear a pin drop during the tense meeting.
impossible to prevent or change
The delay could not be helped due to the storm.
show total lack of interest or concern about something
She could not have cared less about the outcome.
expresses extreme hunger in a humorous way
After the hike, I could eat a horse!
used to describe a very angry or hostile look
She gave him a look as if looks could kill.
showing no interest or concern about something
He could have cared less about the meeting.
express regret or frustration about a past mistake or missed chance
She could have kicked herself for missing the important meeting.
ask someone for a cigarette without paying
Could I bum a smoke from you?
show no interest or concern about something
I could not care less about the weather today.
express inability to change or prevent a situation
The accident could not have been helped by anyone.
feel compelled to experience or do something
She could not help but get emotional during the speech.
act without control due to strong feelings or urges
She could not help herself and started to cry.
an extremely clean floor showing no dirt or mess
After the renovation, we had a floor we could eat off.
used to express disbelief about something unlikely
He'll apologize? Sure, if pigs could fly.
expresses understatement about a situation or fact
The weather was bad, to say the least we could say.
even more surprising things are possible
He might win the lottery—stranger things could happen!
expresses satisfaction with a situation or outcome
The view is stunning and the weather is perfect, what more could one want?
express disbelief or surprise about something unexpected or doubtful
You could have fooled me, I thought it was impossible.
agrees with a description while implying other views exist
"He's quite strict." "You could put it that way."
Origin of could
Old English, cūþe (could) + -ed (past tense)
Terms with could included in their meaning
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time
earlier than someone was born or could remember
safety
in a way that could cause harm or serious risk
abr: et cetera
shows more similar things could be added
hypothetical scenario
describes a hypothetical situation that could have happened
beneficial situation
situation that could lead to something good
safety rules
used to say a place could burn and block escape
uncertainty
shows you think something could be true or possible
dangerous action
do something that could cause death or serious harm
greatest fear
most terrible or feared thing that could happen
possibility
expresses that something could happen or be true
privacy
details that need careful protection because sharing them could cause harm
life
remaining alive after an event that could have caused death
future imagination
mental image of what the future could or should be
time
during one specific moment that could be chosen
competition
someone did something before you could
danger
possess dangerous information that could cause harm
time
during a typical day when something could usually or often happen
danger action
do something that could cause harm or loss
risk
take risks that could lead to serious problems
risk
take serious risks that could result in death
reputation risk
reputation or dignity could be lost or damaged
mathematics
process of choosing items by chance so each could be picked
imagination
more amazing than one could ever think
unimaginable
better than you could imagine
Examples of could in a sentence
They could win the championship this year. She could swim across the lake when she was younger. He could solve complex puzzles as a teenager. With better resources, we could achieve more. If it rains, we could cancel the picnic. Could you help me with this task?
Could we meet tomorrow to discuss the project? We could take the earlier train to avoid traffic. Could you speak with the manager first?
View all translations of could
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:pourrait, pouvoir, ...
- German:könnte, konnte, ...
- Italian:potrebbe, potevo, ...
- Spanish:podría, podía, ...
- Portuguese:poderia, conseguia, ...
- Chinese:可能, 能, ...
- Japanese:かもしれない, できた, ...
- Arabic:يُمكِن, كانَ بِوُسْعِه, ...
- Hebrew:יָכוֹל, תּוּכַל, ...
- Russian:могла бы, мог, ...
- Ukrainian:може, міг, ...
- Hindi:सकता है, सकता था, ...
Definition of can - Reverso English Dictionary
Noun
1.
metal containerUS container typically used for holding liquids or foodUS
- She opened a can of soup for dinner..
2.
wateringUS container for carrying water to plantsUS
- She used a can to water the flowers.
3.
- He went to the can during the break..
4.
- He bought a can from his friend.
5.
storageDated US container for storing filmDated US
- The old movie reels were kept in a can.
6.
- He was thrown in the can for theft..
7.
- He put on his cans to listen to music.
8.
maritimeTECH. US cylindrical buoy marking port-sideTECH. US
- The ship passed the green can safely.
9.
militaryDated US depth charge used in naval warfareDated US
- The submarine evaded the can dropped by the destroyer.
10.
nuclear energyTECH. protective cover in nuclear reactorsTECH.
- The fuel rods were placed in a can.
11.
ScientologyTECH. US E-meter in ScientologyTECH. US
- The auditor used cans during the session.
Auxiliary verb
1.
rulesshow permission or right
- You can leave early today.
2.
chanceshow that something is possible
- It can rain later this evening.
3.
perceptionshow what someone notices with senses
- I can hear music from outside.
4.
talentshow ability or skill
- She can swim across the lake.
5.
mannersmake polite requests or offers
- Can you help me with this?
Verb
1.
cookingUS preserve food by heating and sealing it in a containerUS
- They can peaches every August.
2.
- We canned the proposal after the budget cuts.
3.
- The company canned two managers last week.
4.
packingput something into a metal container and seal it
- The factory cans soup every day.
5.
golfTECH. hit the ball into the holeTECH.
- She canned a long putt on the final hole.
6.
nuclearTECH. cover a reactor fuel part with a protective layerTECH.
- Engineers canned the fuel element before testing.
Images of can
container typically used for holding liquids or food 
container for carrying water to plants 
container for storing film 
cylindrical buoy marking port-side 
depth charge used in naval warfare 
protective cover in nuclear reactors
Expressions with can
💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
stop talking or doing something immediately
Can it, we're trying to concentrate.
with maximum effort or intensity
They ran as hard as they can to catch the last bus.
feel very excited or impatient for something to happen
I can hardly wait for the concert tomorrow!
expresses uncertainty about future events or outcomes
You never can tell what will happen next.
asking about someone's abilities or options
If you finish early, what can you do next?
indicates inability to know something
Who can tell why she left so suddenly?
expresses uncertainty about future events or outcomes
You can never tell what the weather will be like.
used to give someone permission to speak
You can talk now, the meeting is over.
performing a task with maximum effort or ability
She completed the project as best as she can.
express lack of interest or concern about something
I can care less about the latest gossip.
need or want something beneficial
I can do with a cup of tea.
feel relieved from worry or concern
You can rest easy knowing the project is complete.
perceive danger through intuition or instinct
She can smell danger before anyone else notices.
follow simple first steps before trying harder or more complex things
New programmers must crawl before they can walk with advanced frameworks.
used to question the difficulty of a task
He asked, 'How hard can it be to fix a bike?'.
the future will reveal the outcome of a situation
Only time can tell if their relationship will last.
accept whatever is available without complaint
In tough times, you take what you can get.
learn simple things before trying difficult things
You should walk before you can run in this new job.
expresses satisfaction with a situation
The weather is perfect and the food is great, what more can you ask?
extending to the farthest point visible
Fields stretched as far as the eye can see.
is believed always right and never at fault by certain people
To his loyal followers, the coach can do no wrong.
shows surprise or disbelief about something unexpected
Can you beat it, he won the lottery again!
delay or avoid dealing with a problem
The committee decided to kick the can down the road again.
no limit on participants in the activity
In this contest, any number can play.
Origin of can
Latin, canere (to sing)
Examples of can in a sentence
The can of beans rolled off the shelf. He filled the can with rainwater for the garden. The old can was rusty but still usable for watering. She asked where the can was located. The can was out of order, so he had to wait. He stashed a can in his backpack.
They found a can hidden in the drawer. The film was stored in a metal can. She found an old can filled with negatives. He spent a night in the can. The notorious gangster died in the can. She always carries her cans in her backpack. The DJ adjusted his cans before the set. The sailor spotted the red can in the distance. Navigating around the can was tricky in the fog. The ship deployed a can to deter the enemy submarine. A can was launched to protect the fleet from underwater threats. Technicians inspected the can for any leaks. The can is crucial for containing radiation. The practitioner adjusted the cans for better readings. Cans are essential tools in Scientology auditing. Students can use calculators on this exam. You can park here after six. The road can get icy overnight. Too much sun can damage your skin. I can smell smoke in the kitchen. She can feel the floor shaking. He can fix old radios. Can you speak Arabic fluently? Can you pass the salt, please? Can I get you some coffee? We can tomatoes from the backyard garden. She learned to can jam safely. They canned the merger last month. Let's can this idea for now. They will can him if sales keep falling. The studio canned its host after the scandal. The plant cans tuna near the harbor. These machines can paint in minutes. He canned a short birdie putt. If she cans this, they win the match. Technicians can the rods before reactor assembly. The lab canned each pellet for corrosion tests.
View all translations of can
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:boîte, pouvoir, ...
- German:Dose, dürfen, ...
- Italian:lattina, potere, ...
- Spanish:lata, poder, ...
- Portuguese:lata, poder, ...
- Chinese:罐, 能, ...
- Japanese:缶, てもいい, ...
- Arabic:عُلْبَة, أَمْكَنَ, ...
- Hebrew:פַּחִית, רַשַּׁאי, ...
- Russian:жестяная банка, можно, ...
- Ukrainian:жерстяна банка, могти, ...
- Hindi:डिब्बा, सकना, ...
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