1
a
: two persons married, engaged, or otherwise romantically paired
b
: two persons paired together
The people were lined up in couples.
3
: something that joins or links two things together: such as
a
: two equal and opposite forces that act along parallel lines
b
: a pair of substances that in contact with an electrolyte (see electrolyte sense 1) participate in a transfer of electrons which causes an electric current to flow
4
: an indefinite small number : few
a couple of days ago
coupled; coupling
ˈkə-p(ə-)liŋ 
1
a
: to connect for consideration together
b
: to join for combined effect
2
a
: to fasten together : link
b
: to bring (two electric circuits) into such close proximity as to permit mutual influence
3
: to join in marriage or sexual union
Is couple an adjective?: Usage Guide
The adjective use of a couple, without of, has been called nonstandard, but it is not. In both British and American English it is standard before a word (such as more or less) indicating degree.
a couple more examples of Middle English writing
—
Charles Barber
Charles Barber
Its use before an ordinary plural noun is an Americanism, common in speech and in writing that is not meant to be formal or elevated.
the first couple chapters are pretty good
—E. B. White (letter)
E. B. White (letter)
still operated a couple wagons for hire
—Garrison Keillor
Garrison Keillor
It is most frequently used with periods of time
a couple weeks
and numbers.
a couple hundred
a couple dozen
Synonyms
Examples of couple in a Sentence
Noun
“Are they a couple?” “No, they are just good friends.”
Seventeen couples participated in the survey.
Verb
a device that makes it possible to couple the pieces
The coils are loosely coupled.
The wire is coupled to the terminal.
It took an hour to couple the trailer to the truck.
Recent Examples on the WebBeth Luberecki, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2024
The couple’s astrological compatibility is quintessential, as Ripa, born on Oct. 2, 1970, embodies the archetype of Venus as a Libra, while Consuelos, born on March 30, 1971, is ruled by Mars as an Aries.
—Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 27 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, their friend and collaborator Joey George did the couple’s hair.
—Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 26 Apr. 2024
Adam Zablocki, the couple's son, declined to comment on Friday.
—Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2024
On property are the full-service Spa at Koloa Landing; the couple’s treatment rooms have a private lanai, rainfall shower heads and the island’s only Japanese Ofuro soaking tub.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2024
Mai, 45, made the accusations in legal papers as part of the couple’s bitter divorce and fight for custody of their 2-year-old daughter, Monaco, TMZ reported.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024
Walked over the boardwalk and noticed several couples right away ...
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2024
According to the loving couple, there’s more room for additional kids in the future.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 15 Apr. 2024
Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
It’s coated with a dielectric resin layer, which can store the electromagnetic energy that couples to the fiber when a person touches it.
—IEEE Spectrum, 5 Apr. 2024
In 1926, Warners, with technology developed by Western Electric, introduced Vitaphone, a system of adding high fidelity synchronized sound to films using discs mechanically coupled to projectors.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2024
Charlotte, a Chanel brand ambassador and granddaughter of the late Princess Grace, and Dimitri, a film producer, coupled up in December 2016 and got engaged during a ski trip in March 2018.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 1 Feb. 2024
How Doctors Can Increase Vaccination Rates Doctors suggest coupling your COVID vaccine with your flu shot.
—Korin Miller, Verywell Health, 28 Mar. 2024
Given how highly today’s employees value career development, consider coupling B2B expansion with enhanced skill-building opportunities.
—Katya Laviolette, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Others can double their versatility by coupling gas and charcoal capability like the Char-Griller Double Play Gas & Charcoal Grill.
—Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2024
Most rotating generators and machines are physically coupled to the grid’s electromagnetic oscillations.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Feb. 2024
Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 16 Apr. 2024
In the realm of celebrities, nobody is doing couple style quite like them.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2024
Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso took couple goals to the next level at New York Fashion Week!
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 12 Feb. 2024
The utility also agreed to finance a new community center in the community of a couple hundred residents, establish a fund to rehabilitate Randolph homes, provide additional scholarship money for residents and provide other benefits.
—The Arizona Republic, 26 Jan. 2024
Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office alleges the couple misappropriated funds from multiple entities, including social welfare nonprofits and campaign committees.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 3 Jan. 2024
The two cofounders take turns working out of each other’s garages every couple weeks as a break from going into the San Francisco office.
—Kylie Robison, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2024
Matthew Tkachuk’s production is starting to match his effort level: The Panthers were never really worried about Tkachuk’s low point total through the first couple months of the season.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2024
Gomez’s hosting night with boyfriend Blanco comes after the pair — whose romance was confirmed in December 2023 — made their couple debut at the 2024 Golden Globes last Sunday.
—Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 14 Jan. 2024
Noun
More Hawaii vacation ideas: 6 nearly all-inclusive Hawaii resorts for families
10 best family resorts and hotels in Hawaii
15 ultra-romantic Hawaii resorts for couples
6.
—Beth Luberecki, USA TODAY, 27 Apr. 2024
The couple’s astrological compatibility is quintessential, as Ripa, born on Oct. 2, 1970, embodies the archetype of Venus as a Libra, while Consuelos, born on March 30, 1971, is ruled by Mars as an Aries.
—Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 27 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, their friend and collaborator Joey George did the couple’s hair.
—Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 26 Apr. 2024
Adam Zablocki, the couple's son, declined to comment on Friday.
—Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2024
On property are the full-service Spa at Koloa Landing; the couple’s treatment rooms have a private lanai, rainfall shower heads and the island’s only Japanese Ofuro soaking tub.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2024
Mai, 45, made the accusations in legal papers as part of the couple’s bitter divorce and fight for custody of their 2-year-old daughter, Monaco, TMZ reported.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024
Walked over the boardwalk and noticed several couples right away ...
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2024
According to the loving couple, there’s more room for additional kids in the future.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 15 Apr. 2024
Verb
When the county reached a landmark settlement in federal court with advocates for the homeless in 2019, coupling anti-camping laws with outreach services, Do was the face of the government effort.
—Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024
It’s coated with a dielectric resin layer, which can store the electromagnetic energy that couples to the fiber when a person touches it.
—IEEE Spectrum, 5 Apr. 2024
In 1926, Warners, with technology developed by Western Electric, introduced Vitaphone, a system of adding high fidelity synchronized sound to films using discs mechanically coupled to projectors.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2024
Charlotte, a Chanel brand ambassador and granddaughter of the late Princess Grace, and Dimitri, a film producer, coupled up in December 2016 and got engaged during a ski trip in March 2018.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 1 Feb. 2024
How Doctors Can Increase Vaccination Rates Doctors suggest coupling your COVID vaccine with your flu shot.
—Korin Miller, Verywell Health, 28 Mar. 2024
Given how highly today’s employees value career development, consider coupling B2B expansion with enhanced skill-building opportunities.
—Katya Laviolette, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Others can double their versatility by coupling gas and charcoal capability like the Char-Griller Double Play Gas & Charcoal Grill.
—Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2024
Most rotating generators and machines are physically coupled to the grid’s electromagnetic oscillations.
—IEEE Spectrum, 14 Feb. 2024
Adjective
Clark also posted cute couple pictures from the post-Draft celebrations to her Instagram Stories, which McCaffery reposted with the heart hands emoji.
—Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 16 Apr. 2024
In the realm of celebrities, nobody is doing couple style quite like them.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2024
Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso took couple goals to the next level at New York Fashion Week!
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 12 Feb. 2024
The utility also agreed to finance a new community center in the community of a couple hundred residents, establish a fund to rehabilitate Randolph homes, provide additional scholarship money for residents and provide other benefits.
—The Arizona Republic, 26 Jan. 2024
Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office alleges the couple misappropriated funds from multiple entities, including social welfare nonprofits and campaign committees.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 3 Jan. 2024
The two cofounders take turns working out of each other’s garages every couple weeks as a break from going into the San Francisco office.
—Kylie Robison, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2024
Matthew Tkachuk’s production is starting to match his effort level: The Panthers were never really worried about Tkachuk’s low point total through the first couple months of the season.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2024
Gomez’s hosting night with boyfriend Blanco comes after the pair — whose romance was confirmed in December 2023 — made their couple debut at the 2024 Golden Globes last Sunday.
—Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 14 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'couple.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near couple
Cite this Entry
“Couple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/couple. Accessed 1 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
couple
2 of 3 verb
coupled; coupling
ˈkəp-(ə-)liŋ
1
: to join together : connect
2
: to join in pairs
coupler
noun
-p(ə-)lər
couple
3 of 3 adjectiveLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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