shouldn't

contraction

ˈshu̇-dᵊnt How to pronounce shouldn't (audio)
-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

Dictionary Entries Near shouldn't

Cite this Entry

“Shouldn't.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shouldn%27t. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

shouldn't

: should not

More from Merriam-Webster on shouldn't

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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