couch
KOWCH
Couch (noun) means an upholstered piece of furniture for sitting, usually seating more than one person; a sofa. Example: “The cat curled up on the couch beside the radiator.”
noun
1
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."
"He fell asleep on the couch watching television."
"They pushed the couch against the wall to make room for the tree."
verb
1
To phrase something in a particular, often careful or diplomatic, way.
"The letter was couched in formal terms to show respect."
"The feedback was couched in gentle terms so as not to upset her."
"His refusal was couched as a scheduling conflict rather than a rejection."
How to use couch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sofa for sitting or lying on — or, in the verb form, to word something carefully.
Common pairings
couch potato
couched in diplomatic terms
sink into the couch
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Word forms
- Plural
- couches
- Third person singular
- couches
- Past tense
- couched
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cat curled up on the _____ beside the radiator.
Etymology
From Old French couche, related to the verb coucher ("to lie down").
Related words
Rhymes for couch
See all rhymes for 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.
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