Dictionary

should've en · X

Pronunciation

• /ˈʃɵdəv/ (British, Southern, Standard)
• /ˈʃʉdəv/ (Northern-Ireland, Scotland)
• (Southern-England) audio
• /ˈʃʊdəv/ (Australia, Received-Pronunciation, US)

Etymology

From should + -'ve.

Meanings

1. (abbreviation, alt-of, contraction) Contraction of should + have.
   alt of should
   • He should've arrived earlier.
   • Mo said should-haves weren't going to do Lolly or me any good. 2008, Wally Lamb, The Hour I First Believed, Ch.5, at p.113

Relateds

shouldn't've

Synonyms

shoulda

Translations (7)

es hubiera (contraction) · es (él) habría (contraction) · es debía haber (de) (contraction) · es debiese/debiera haber (de) (contraction) · es hubiese (contraction) · es debió haber (de) (contraction) · es debería haber (de) (contraction)