should

auxiliary verb

shəd,

ˈshu̇d 

past tense of shall

1

somewhat formal

—used in auxiliary function to express condition

Should[=if] you change your mind, please let us know.

… if he should leave his father, his father would die.

—Genesis 44:22 (Revised Standard Version)

—usually used with if

If she should call [=if she calls], tell her I'll call her back.

2

—used in auxiliary function to express obligation, propriety, or expediency

Everyone should know the rules.

There should be four, not six.

You should be ashamed of yourself!

They should have been more careful.

Should I try again?

I shouldn't have to remind them.

It was decided that we should form a committee.

… 'tis commanded I should do so.

—William Shakespeare

this is as it should be

—H. L. Savage

you should brush your teeth after each meal

3

dated

—used in auxiliary function to express futurity from a point of view in the past

… realized that she should [=would] have to do most of her farm work before sunrise …

—Ellen Glasgow

4

—used in auxiliary function to express what is probable or expected

With an early start, they should be here by noon.

5

British

—used in auxiliary function to express a request in a polite manner or to soften direct statement

I should [=would] see a doctor if I were you.

We should like to know how you plan to address the issue.

I should suggest that a guide … is the first essential.

—L. D. Reddick

Synonyms of should

• must
• shall

Examples of should in a Sentence

you should stop smoking

Recent Examples on the Web

Miami will try to remain optimistic, knowing the Celtics should be somewhat fatigued after playing in Orlando on Monday. —Gary Pearson | Catena Media, oregonlive, 24 Jan. 2023

Lawmaker says Ticketmaster merger should ‘be on the table’ Lawmakers repeatedly questioned the US government’s past handling of the Live Nation merger with Ticketmaster. —Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 24 Jan. 2023

Walczak noted that a wealth tax would be especially problematic for California, joking that the people most excited about such a law should be people in Texas, where some high-profile Californians have relocated in recent years. —Aaron Kliegman, Fox News, 24 Jan. 2023

And by early Thursday morning, Freitag added, the worst of it should be over — until, of course, the next storm. —Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 24 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sholde, from Old English sceolde owed, was obliged to, ought to

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for should

• could
• good
• stood
• would
• adulthood
• babyhood
• brotherhood
• cottonwood
• fatherhood
• firewood
• fuelwood
• hardihood

Kids Definition

should

shəd 

(ˈ)shu̇d

past of shall

1

: ought to

you should study harder

they should be here soon

2

: happen to

if you should see them, say hello for me

3

—used to express what is probable or expected

they should be here by now

4

—used as a more polite or less assured form of shall

should I turn out the lights?