# sofa

/ˈsoʊfə/ (US) · /sˈəʊfɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sofa
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 3. raised floor

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

a raised part of a floor covered with carpets for sitting, common in older Middle Eastern buildings.

For teachers: a raised section of a floor, typically carpeted, used for seating in traditional Middle Eastern architecture.

- The guests sat on the silk-covered sofa to drink their tea.
- The traditional reception hall featured a wide sofa along the perimeter, allowing visitors to rest comfortably on the elevated, carpeted surface.

### 4. historical soldier

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a type of soldier who served in the army of the Mali Empire in Africa.

For teachers: a member of a specific class of slave soldiers within the military hierarchy of the Mali Empire.

- The sofa was a brave warrior in the ancient Mali army.
- Historical accounts describe the sofa as a disciplined infantryman essential to the expansion of the Mali Empire during the thirteenth century.

## Examples

- We bought a new leather sofa for the living room.
- After a long day at work, he likes to lie down on the sofa and read a book.
- The interior designer suggested a velvet sofa in a deep emerald green to serve as the focal point of the minimalist lounge area.

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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.