couldn't
uk/ˈkʊd.ənt/us/ˈkʊd.ənt/short form of could not:
I couldn't find my keys this morning.
More examples
- She couldn't study with the children chasing around the house.
- The banks had closed so I couldn't get any money out.
- I couldn't understand the directions on the packet.
- The car was so badly damaged that it couldn't be repaired.
- Why didn't you come? Couldn't you hear me calling you?