Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb Used to show there was possibility of something happening in the past, but it did not happen.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Contraction of could have

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word could've.

Examples

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • Yeah, but what about when my pal says: Do think that guy we saw at the cornerstore was an actual giant, like, genetically?" and I say "Could've been." In that case, the event didn't necessarily "not happen," as Wiktionary puts it.

    Hmph.

    February 28, 2011

  • What was he wearing? I'm interested in giant fashion.

    February 28, 2011