couch

¹couch

verb \ˈkau̇ch\

Definition of COUCH

transitive verb

1

: to lay (oneself) down for rest or sleep

2

: to embroider (a design) by laying down a thread and fastening it with small stitches at regular intervals

3

: to place or hold level and pointed forward ready for use

4

: to phrase or express in a specified manner <the comments were couched in strong terms>

intransitive verb

1

: to lie down or recline for sleep or rest

2

: to lie in ambush

Examples of COUCH

1. <I'm trying to couch this delicately: I don't think we should date anymore.>
2. <I couched behind the partition so as to avoid an awkward situation with my ex.>

Origin of COUCH

Middle English, from Anglo-French cucher, from Latin collocare to set in place — more at collocate

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to COUCH

Synonyms: articulate, clothe, phrase, express, formulate, put, say, state, word

Related Words: craft, frame; hint, imply, insinuate, intimate, suggest; paraphrase, rephrase, restate, reword, summarize, translate; communicate, disclose, speak, talk, tell, utter, verbalize, vocalize; describe, render, write up

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Rhymes with COUCH

crouch, grouch, ouch, pouch, slouch, vouch