couldn't

contraction

ˈku̇-dᵊnt How to pronounce couldn't (audio)
-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

Dictionary Entries Near couldn't

could have sworn

couldn't

couldn't be happier

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Couldn't.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/couldn%27t. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

couldn't

ˈku̇d-ᵊnt How to pronounce couldn't (audio)
: could not

More from Merriam-Webster on couldn't

Nglish: Translation of couldn't for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of couldn't for Arabic Speakers

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

Point of View: It's Personal

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
naughty or nice
Are you naughty or nice? Quiz He's making a quiz, and checking it twice...