couch
11 synonyms for couch, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An upholstered piece of furniture for sitting, usually seating more than one person; a sofa.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
An upholstered piece of furniture for sitting, usually seating more than one person; a sofa.
“The cat curled up on the couch beside the radiator.”
How to use couch
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
couch potato
couched in diplomatic terms
sink into the couch
Etymology
From Old French couche, related to the verb coucher ("to lie down").
Full origin of couch →Frequently asked questions
What does “couch” mean?
The word “couch” means an upholstered piece of furniture for sitting, usually seating more than one person; a sofa. In plain terms, a sofa for sitting or lying on — or, in the verb form, to word something carefully.
How do you pronounce “couch”?
“Couch” is pronounced KOWCH (/ˈkaʊ̯t͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “couch” in a sentence?
Here is “couch” used in a sentence: “He fell asleep on the couch watching television.”
What part of speech is “couch”?
Depending on how it is used, “couch” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “couch” come from?
The word “couch” comes from Old French. From Old French couche, related to the verb coucher ("to lie down").
Is “couch” a common word?
“Couch” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “couch” have?
“Couch” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an upholstered piece of furniture for sitting, usually seating more than one person; a sofa.
What is the difference between a couch and a sofa?
A couch and a sofa are essentially the same thing: an upholstered seat for more than one person. The words are used interchangeably, though 'sofa' can sound slightly more formal and 'couch' more casual. Historically, 'couch' suggested a piece you could also lie down on.
What is the difference between a couch and a settee?
Both are upholstered seats for more than one person. 'Settee' is chiefly British and can refer to a smaller or more formal two-seater, while 'couch' is the more general and informal word, common in American English for the same furniture.
