# couch

/ˈkaʊtʃ/ (US) · /kˈaʊtʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/couch
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. furniture

noun · CEFR A1

a long, soft seat for two or more people to sit on together.

For teachers: an upholstered piece of furniture designed for seating multiple people; synonymous with 'sofa' in most dialects.

- We all sat on the couch to watch a movie together on Saturday night.
- The living room featured a large velvet couch that served as the focal point for social gatherings and evening relaxation.

### 2. psychotherapy

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the place where a person sits or lies while talking to a therapist.

For teachers: used metonymically to refer to the process or setting of psychoanalysis or psychotherapy.

- He spent three years on the couch trying to understand his childhood.
- The patient's progress on the couch was slow, as he initially resisted the therapist's attempts to explore his recurring dreams.

### 3. to phrase

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Academic

to say or write something using specific words to create a certain effect.

For teachers: to express or frame a statement in a particular style or manner. Often used in the passive voice.

- The bad news was couched in very polite language so it didn't sound so harsh.
- The legal warnings were couched in such technical jargon that the average consumer could barely understand the risks involved.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice: 'to be couched in'.

### 4. to lower a weapon

verb · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

to lower a spear or lance into a position ready for an attack.

For teachers: to lower a spear or lance to a horizontal position in preparation for a charge or attack.

- The knight couched his lance as he prepared to charge at his opponent.
- As the trumpet sounded, the heavy cavalry couched their lances in unison, creating a formidable wall of steel points.

### 5. embroidery

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to sew a piece of thread onto fabric using very small stitches.

For teachers: to attach a thread, cord, or other material onto the surface of a fabric using small, transverse stitches.

- She used gold thread and couched it onto the silk to make a beautiful pattern.
- The artisan carefully couched the heavy silver wire onto the ceremonial robe to create an intricate floral border.

## Examples

- We sat on the couch to watch a movie.
- The living room feels much larger now that we have replaced the old couch with a modern one.
- The interior designer suggested a velvet couch in a deep emerald green to serve as the focal point of the minimalist apartment.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.