should

verb
UK: /ʃʊd/
US: /ʃʊd/

  1. Used to indicate obligation or duty.

    1. You should always brush your teeth before bed. [ ] [ ]
    2. I think you should apologize for what you said last night to her. [ ] [ ]

  2. Used to express what is probable or expected.

    1. The bus should be here any minute now. [ ] [ ]
    2. If you follow the recipe exactly, the cake should turn out perfectly fine. [ ] [ ]

  3. Used to give advice or make a suggestion.

    1. You should try the new Italian restaurant. [ ] [ ]
    2. Perhaps we should consider taking a different approach to this problem. [ ] [ ]

  4. Used to express a polite request or inquiry.

    1. Should you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask. [ ] [ ]
    2. Should it rain, the event will be moved indoors to the auditorium. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

be supposed to might may could must

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "should" in English means: Used to indicate obligation or duty., Used to express what is probable or expected., Used to give advice or make a suggestion., Used to express a polite request or inquiry..

The phonetic transcription of "should" is /ʃʊd/ in British English and /ʃʊd/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "should": be supposed to, might, may, could, must.

Example usage of "should": "You should always brush your teeth before bed.". More examples on the page.