shouldn't

contraction

ˈshu̇-dᵊnt

-dᵊn,

dialectal also ˈshu̇-tᵊn(t),

or ˈshu̇nt

: should not

Word History

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of shouldn't was in 1675

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Browse Nearby Words

shouldest

shouldn't

shouldna

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Shouldn't.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shouldn%27t. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

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Kids Definition

shouldn't

ˈshu̇d-ᵊnt

: should not

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