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could

The definition of could is often used in the place of "can" to show a little doubt.

(verb)

An example of could is someone asking if they can help someone.
An example of could is saying that something is able to happen if someone does something.

See could in Webster's New World College Dictionary

auxiliary verb

can: he gave what he could give
used as a modal auxiliary in verbal phrases with present or future time reference, generally equivalent to can in meaning and use, with the following functions:
1. expressing esp. a shade of doubt or a smaller degree of ability or possibility: it could be so
2. expressing permission: could I go?
3. forming the present conditional: it would help if he could wait
4. forming the past conditional: he would have left if he could
5. expressing or suggesting politely less certainty than can: could you wait?

Origin: altered (infl. by would, should) < ME coud < OE cuthe (akin to Goth kuntha, OHG konda, ON kunna), pt. of cunnan, to be able: see can

intransitive verb

can: he gave what he could

transitive verb

Obsolete can

See could in American Heritage Dictionary 4

aux.v. Past tense of can¹

Used to indicate ability or permission in the past: I could run faster then. Only men could go to the club in those days.
Used with hypothetical or conditional force: If we could help, we would.
Used to indicate tentativeness or politeness: I could be wrong. Could you come over here?

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could phrase meanings

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