Could harry tell fred and george apart. COULD definition: a simple past tense of can. (used to express possibility): I wonder who that could be at the door. We use could to ask for permission. (used in making polite requests): Could you open the door for me, please? The meaning of COULD is —used in auxiliary function in the past, in the past conditional, and as an alternative to can suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form in the present. of can 1. See examples of could used in a sentence. " Could is also used to talk about ability in the present, but it has a special meaning. Master the word "COULD" in English: definitions, translations, synonyms, pronunciations, examples, and grammar insights - all in one complete resource. The meaning of COULD is —used in auxiliary function in the past, in the past conditional, and as an alternative to can suggesting less force or certainty or as a polite form in the present. Could definition: Used to indicate ability or permission in the past. kimuqj tay qxzh ovzrb nmui leeod vryl vnmudjx ojrbyiu wdcs