Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
could've
Contraction
/ˈkʊd.əv/

Definition
A contraction of ‘could have’, typically used in informal speech and writing to express a possibility or hypothetical situation.

Examples
- She could’ve won the race if she hadn’t injured her ankle.
- If we had left earlier, we could’ve avoided the traffic.

Meaning
Indicates a potential action or outcome that might have happened in the past but did not occur.

Synonyms
- might have
- should have
- may have