couldn't

See also: couldnt

English

Etymology

From could +‎ n’t.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkʊd.(ə)nt/
• (Yorkshire) IPA^(key): [ˈkʊnʔ]
  • Homophone: cunt

• Audio (US):

  (file)

Verb

couldn't

1. could not (negative auxiliary)

Coordinate terms

• can't, mayn't, mightn't, oughtn't, shan't, shouldn't, won't, wouldn't

See also

• Appendix:English modal verbs
• Appendix:English tag questions