modal verb

shouldn't

should not

You shouldn't smoke here.

You shouldn't smoke here.

He shouldn't be late.

He shouldn't be late.

((shouldn't + base verb)) for advice or obligation You shouldn't talk so loudly.

Synonyms: ought not to; Antonyms: should, must

A contraction of 'should' and 'not'. 'Should' comes from Old English 'sceolde'.

This is the negative form of 'should'. Use it to give advice against doing something.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.