Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

shouldn't

/ˈʃʊdənt/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.82 in modern English

Syllables: should-n't
IPA: /ˈʃʊdənt/

12

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

Should not (negative auxiliary)

noun

Something that should not be done.

Informal

Example Sentences

"I shouldn't be telling you all this. It'll make you angry."
"Being a list-o-maniac, I suggested we make a list of the "shoulds" and "shouldn'ts." So in the darkness of hazy sleep, I began to mentally prepare mine. The first item on the "should" side was easy: a sibling for our 3-year-old daughter."

Etymology

From should + -n't.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈʃʊdənt/
British English: /ˈʃʊdənt/

Usage

Informal

Inflected Forms

shouldn'ts (plural)

Derived Forms

shouldn't've

Frequently Paired Words

can't couldn't mayn't mightn't oughtn't shan't won't wouldn't

Rhymes With

wouldn't couldn't

Questions

How do you pronounce shouldn't?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈʃʊdənt/.
What does shouldn't mean?: Should not (negative auxiliary)
Where does shouldn't come from?: From should + -n't.

How to pronounce shouldn't

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “shouldn't”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈʃʊdənt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “shouldn't”.
Repeat and practice — Say “shouldn't” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.