couple

1 of 2

noun

cou·​ple ˈkə-pəl 

"couple of" is often ˌkə-plə(v)

1

a

: two persons married, engaged, or otherwise romantically paired

b

: two persons paired together

The people were lined up in couples.

2

: pair, brace

needed a couple of bookends

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

coupledom

ˈkə-pəl-dəm 

noun

couple

2 of 2

verb

cou·​ple ˈkə-pəl 

coupled; coupling ˈkə-p(ə-)liŋ 

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

1

: to unite in sexual union

2

: join

3

: to unite chemically

Synonyms of couple

Noun

• handful
• few

Verb

• combine

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 Web

Noun

On Wednesday, Jesse posted a lengthy statement that disclosed the couple’s decision to terminate the pregnancy. —Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026

White pans over to the eaves and snaps a photo, where a couple of snakes are seen, quite literally hanging out. —Drew Pittock, USA Today, 5 June 2026

Verb

The male and female Islanders are split up for a week, with half being sent to a whole other villa as new contestants are brought in, aiming to couple up the Islanders. —Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 29 May 2026

Fans are wondering who will couple up this time around. —Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, pair, bond, from Anglo-French cuple, from Latin copula bond, from co- + apere to fasten — more at apt

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing couple

• a couple
• a couple of
• couple with
• estranged couple
• inter-couple
• odd couple
• the last/previous couple of
• the next couple of

Rhymes for couple

• decouple
• uncouple
• supple
• thermocouple

Kids Definition

couple

1 of 3 noun

cou·​ple ˈkəp-əl 

1

: two persons romantically paired or associated together (as by marriage or on a date)

2

: two persons or things paired together

3

: an indefinite small number : few

a couple of days ago

couple

2 of 3 verb

coupled; coupling

ˈkəp-(ə-)liŋ

1

: to join together : connect

2

: to join in pairs

coupler

-p(ə-)lər

noun

couple

3 of 3 adjective

: two sense 1

also : several entry 1 sense 2

a couple days ago