should

noun

1. A statement of what should be the case as opposed to what is the case.

verb

1. (auxiliary) Used to form the future tense of the subjunctive mood.

- If I should be late, go without me.

- Should you need extra blankets, you will find them in the closet.

2. (auxiliary) Be obliged to; have an obligation to; indicates that the subject of the sentence has some obligation to execute the sentence predicate. Or that the speaker is giving some strong advice, but has no authority to enforce.

- What do I think? What should I do?

- You should never drink and drive.

- You should always wear a seat belt.

3. (auxiliary) ought to; speaker's opinion, or advice, that an action is correct, beneficial or desirable.

- You should brush your teeth every day.

- I should exercise more often, but I'm too lazy.

4. (auxiliary) Will be likely to (become or do something); indicates a degree of possibility, or probability, that the subject of the sentence is likely to execute the sentence predicate.

- When you press this button, the pilot flame should ignite.You should be warm enough with that coat.

5. (formal or dated) A variant of would.