Definition of "could've" []

• Used to show there was possibility of something happening in the past, but it did not happen. (verb)

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• "Well if you had it four feet off the ground, it very well could've been a deer."
• "I actually could've shot 2 does last year on my way back to the ATV, they were standing right next to it."
• "Basically, if somebody could've prevented it, I would sue 'em."