sofa
6 synonyms for sofa, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A long upholstered seat with a back and arms, meant for two or more people.
Synonyms
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.
How to use sofa
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sit on the sofa
sofa bed
leather sofa
Etymology
Borrowed from French sofa, ultimately from Arabic ṣuffa, a raised, carpeted stone seat.
Full origin of sofa →Frequently asked questions
What does “sofa” mean?
The word “sofa” means a long upholstered seat with a back and arms, meant for two or more people. In plain terms, a couch — a padded seat for two or more people.
How do you pronounce “sofa”?
“Sofa” is pronounced SOH-fuh (/ˈsoʊ̯fə/ in IPA).
How do you use “sofa” in a sentence?
Here is “sofa” used in a sentence: “They spent the evening curled up on the sofa watching movies.”
What part of speech is “sofa”?
“Sofa” is a noun.
Where does the word “sofa” come from?
The word “sofa” comes from French. Borrowed from French sofa, ultimately from Arabic ṣuffa, a raised, carpeted stone seat.
Is “sofa” a common word?
“Sofa” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between a sofa and a couch?
"Sofa" and "couch" both refer to a long upholstered seat with a back and arms meant for two or more people, and in modern usage they are essentially interchangeable. "Sofa" is often considered slightly more formal or British, while "couch" is more common in casual American English.
What is the difference between a sofa and a loveseat?
A sofa is a long upholstered seat designed for two or more people, while a loveseat is a smaller version meant for just two people. The distinction is mainly one of size and seating capacity.
Is "sofa" a formal or informal word?
"Sofa" is a standard, neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts, such as furniture catalogs, interior design writing, and everyday conversation. It carries no particular slang or casual connotation.
