Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

shouldn't

contraction \ ˈshu̇-dᵊnt , -dᵊn , dialectal also ˈshu̇-tᵊn(t) or ˈshu̇nt \

Definition of shouldn't

: should not

First Known Use of shouldn't

1675

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Phrases Related to SHOULDN'T

Related Phrases

SHOULDN'T Defined for Kids

shouldn't

\ ˈshu̇-dᵊnt \

Definition of shouldn't for Students

: should not
  • You shouldn't go.

Learn More about shouldn't

  1. Spanish Central: Translation of shouldn't Nglish: Translation of shouldn't for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up shouldn't? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

thwart

play

to oppose successfully

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. hogwash 'nonsense, balderdash'

  2. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  3. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  4. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  5. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

shouldn't

Test Your Vocabulary

The Eponym Quiz

  • rubens-painting
  • Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games