Definitions For Should

Noun

SHOULD (plural SHOULDs) A statement of what ought to be the case as opposed to what is the case.

Verb

{{en-verb}} To make a statement of what ought to be true, as opposed to reality.

Alternative forms

{{alter, en, shou’d}} {{qualifier, obsolete}} {{alter, en, shoulde}} {{qualifier, archaic}}

Etymology

From Middle English scholde, from {{inh, en, ang, sceolde, , }}, first and third person preterite form of sculan, , owe", "be obliged, the ancestor of {{cog, en, shall}}. Related to shild and shildy.

See also

precatory Appendix:English modal verbs Appendix:English tag questions {{projectlink, wikipedia, Auxiliary verb}} {{projectlink, wikipedia, Modal verb}} {{projectlink, wikipedia, Shall and will}}