couple
0 antonyms and opposites of couple, grouped by meaning.
Noun — Two people who are in a romantic relationship or married.
How to use couple
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French couple, from Latin copula meaning "a bond" or "tie" — the same root that gives us "copula" and "coupling."
Full origin of couple →Frequently asked questions
What does “couple” mean?
The word “couple” means two people who are in a romantic relationship or married. In plain terms, two of something (especially a romantic pair), or loosely, "a few" of something; as a verb, to link two things together.
How do you pronounce “couple”?
“Couple” is pronounced KUHP-uhl (/ˈkʌp.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “couple” in a sentence?
Here is “couple” used in a sentence: “The couple next door just got engaged.”
What is another word for “couple”?
Words with a similar meaning to “couple” include pair, attach, put together, espouse and make love.
What part of speech is “couple”?
Depending on how it is used, “couple” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “couple” come from?
The word “couple” comes from Latin. From Old French couple, from Latin copula meaning "a bond" or "tie" — the same root that gives us "copula" and "coupling.".
Is “couple” a common word?
“Couple” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “couple” have?
“Couple” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: two people who are in a romantic relationship or married.
Does "a couple" always mean exactly two?
When referring to people in a relationship, yes — a couple is two partners. But in casual speech, "a couple of" often means a small, loose number rather than precisely two, as in "give me a couple of minutes." Context decides whether it means exactly two or just a few.
What is the difference between a couple and a pair?
A pair is any two matching or connected things, like a pair of shoes. A couple usually means two people in a romantic relationship, or informally two of anything. The key difference is that "couple" carries a sense of partnership, while "pair" simply notes that two things go together.
What is an example of a couple?
A married husband and wife are a couple, as are two people dating or engaged. You might say "the couple celebrated their anniversary" or "they make a lovely couple." The word highlights the romantic bond or partnership between the two people rather than just their number.
Is "couple" singular or plural?
It can be either. When you think of the two people as a single unit, use a singular verb: "the couple is moving house." When you focus on them as two individuals, a plural verb feels natural: "the couple are arguing." British English tends to favor the plural.