Synonyms for

Could

Verb / kʊd / Another word for could — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

used to indicate possibility or ability

Synonyms & similar words

can may might shall will able capable possible potential permissible feasible manageable practicable viable reasonable conceivable imaginable likely probable credible

Synonyms by register

Formal

might may would

Informal

might be able to supposed to supposedly

Literary

might have would have

Antonyms

cannot unable impossible incapable powerless helpless

Common collocations

  • could be
  • could have
  • could do
  • could go
  • could see
  • could tell
  • could get
  • could make

Word family

verb can

Usage note

Could is the past tense of 'can' and is often used to express possibility, ability in the past, or polite requests. It can also express hypothetical situations.

Example sentences

  1. I could go to the park today.
  2. She could sing very well.
  3. We could eat pizza for dinner.
  4. He could play the guitar when he was young.
  5. They could hear the birds chirping in the morning.

Quotes

  • Believe that you can and you're halfway there.
  • If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month.
  • You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.

Try these popular words

the and that for you with was this are have not from

Practice

Play the Word Synonyms game · Choose level (start near 1)

Worksheets

Grade 4 · Grade 5 · Grade 6

Topics

Guides

Explore more words