couldn't

contraction

ˈku̇-dᵊnt

-dᵊn,

dialectal also ˈku̇-tᵊn(t),

or ˈku̇nt

: could not

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of couldn't was in 1646

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Style

“Couldn't.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/couldn%27t. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

couldn't

ˈku̇d-ᵊnt

: could not

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couldn't

contraction

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