shouldn

should-n't · contraction

imported

Definitions

contraction

  1. 1.

    Contraction of "should not"; used to advise against or indicate that something is wrong or inadvisable.

  2. 2.

    Used to express that something is not expected or probable.

  3. 3.

    Used to express disapproval of something that has happened.

Related words

Antonyms: should
See also: cannot, should, wouldn't
Synonyms: must not, ought not

Etymology

Contraction of should (from Old English sceolde, past tense of sculan, "to owe, be obliged") + not. The contracted form shouldn't became common in spoken English and informal writing by the 17th century.