should

should · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    Used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness.

  2. 2.

    Used to give advice or recommendations.

  3. 3.

    Used to indicate what is probable or expected.

  4. 4.

    Used in conditional sentences.

  5. 5.

    (British) Past tense of "shall" in reported speech.

Related words

See also: could, must, shall, would
Synonyms: must, ought to

Etymology

From Old English sceolde, past tense of sculan ("to owe, be obliged"), from Proto-Germanic skulaną. Originally expressed obligation in the past tense, but developed conditional and subjunctive uses in Middle English. Related to shall.