COULD

Set to 9 different clues across 9 published puzzles, most often “Was able to” — The New York Times, Wednesday, 29 June 2005.

5 letters

Every clue on record, most used first

Was able toonce
The New York Times — Wednesday, 29 June 2005
"You ___ say that"once
The New York Times — Wednesday, 15 June 2005
Possibly willonce
The New York Times — Sunday, 4 November 2001
Was capable ofonce
The New York Times — Tuesday, 5 September 2000
Had the know-howonce
The New York Times — Sunday, 28 December 1997
"What ___ I do?"once
The New York Times — Tuesday, 27 May 1997
"___ It Be Magic" (Manilow song)once
The New York Times — Sunday, 12 January 1997
Mightonce
The New York Times — Tuesday, 11 April 1995
Manilow's "_____ It Be Magic"once
The New York Times — Friday, 17 February 1995