should / shoŏd/ • modal verb (3rd sing. should) 1. used to indicate obligation, duty, or correctness, typically when criticizing someone's actions: he should have been careful I think we should trust our people more you shouldn't have gone. ∎  indicating a desirable or expected state: by now students should be able to read with a large degree of independence. ∎  used to give or ask advice or suggestions: you should go back to bed what should I wear? ∎  (I should) used to give advice: I should hold out if I were you.2. used to indicate what is probable: $348 million should be enough to buy him out the bus should arrive in a few minutes.3. formal expressing the conditional mood: ∎  (in the first person) indicating the consequence of an imagined event: if I were to obey my first impulse, I should spend my days writing letters. ∎  referring to a possible event or situation: if you should change your mind, I'll be at the hotel should anyone arrive late, admission is likely to be refused.4. used in a clause with “that” after a main clause describing feelings: it is astonishing that we should find violence here.5. used in a clause with “that” expressing purpose: in order that training should be effective it must be planned systematically.6. (in the first person) expressing a polite request or acceptance: we should be grateful for your advice.7. (in the first person) expressing a conjecture or hope: he'll have a sore head, I should imagine “It won't happen again.” “I should hope not.”8. used to emphasize to a listener how striking an event is or was: you should have seen Marge's face. ∎  (who/what should —— but) emphasizing how surprising an event was: I was in this store when who should I see across the street but Toby.