Couch

/kaʊtʃ/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A piece of furniture for sitting or reclining, typically having a back and arms.
We bought a new couch for the living room.
A sofa or a similar piece of furniture.
She curled up on the couch to read her book.
A place for relaxation, often used in a colloquial sense.
After a long day, I just want to come home and collapse on the couch.
verb
To express or phrase in a particular way.
He couched his argument in a very persuasive manner.
To put something in a specific form or to embed it.
The idea was couched in the context of modern philosophy.
To lie or recline.
She couched on the grass to watch the clouds.

Etymology

Middle English, from Old French 'couche' meaning 'to lie down, to lay down'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

couch potato:
A lazy person who spends time lying on a couch watching television.
to couch something:
To phrase or express something in a specific way.
on the couch:
Referring to a person in therapy or psychoanalysis.

Related Words

Slang Meanings

Couch surfing
Staying at someone's home for a short time, often without paying a fee.
Couch lock
A state of being unable to get off the couch, often after consuming cannabis.