couch

verb

\ˈkau̇ch

couched; couching; couches

Definition of couch

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to lay (oneself) down for rest or sleep The lion couched himself by a tree.

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 Couching his lance, he seated himself firmly in his saddle …— W. Somerset Maugham

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 the odd way a camel couches

2 : to lie in ambush The tiger couches in the thick grass, watching its prey move closer.

couch

noun

Definition of couch (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : an article of furniture for sitting or reclining

b : a couch on which a patient reclines when undergoing psychoanalysis

2 : the den of an animal (such as an otter)

on the couch

: receiving psychoanalytic treatment

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about couch

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Examples of couch in a Sentence

Verb

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

Noun

find yourself a place on the couch and make yourself at home

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The delay in his departure was couched as a wish to wait until the school year ended. — Donna St. George, Washington Post, "Maryland schools CEO handed six-figure severance payout," 12 July 2018 Actionable defamation requires that the defendant uttered statements that were couched as factual assertions. — Michael Mccann, SI.com, "Could CM Punk and Colt Cabana Be Found Culpable for Defamation?," 31 May 2018 Today’s board vote, while couched as an effort to prevent such a transaction, was pure pretext. — Michael J. De La Merced, BostonGlobe.com, "Judge rejects CBS’s move to strip Shari Redstone’s control of company," 17 May 2018 The decision gives comfort to extremists who love to couch this as a war. — Raisa Habersham, ajc, "Travel ban hits home for metro Atlanta Muslims, supporters," 26 June 2018 Two administration officials acknowledged that Trump simply does not see allies and adversaries in the traditional way, nor any reason to couch his views in diplomatic niceties. — Karen Deyoung, Anchorage Daily News, "In Trump, some see the end of the world order," 8 June 2018 The category of value would be $100,001 - $250,000 and the interest rate would be zero.’’ That statement was couched in a footnote on the 45th page of a 92-page disclosure. — BostonGlobe.com, "Trump reports apparent Daniels reimbursement in disclosure filing," 17 May 2018 Students and administrators talked to each class about school safety, about the issues behind the walk and about how an action could be couched in what Baal called the Ignatian spirit, and the school's emphasis on spiritual and social justice. — Brian Cox, chicagotribune.com, "About 1,000 New Trier students join national walk out, hold moment of silence for Parkland victims," 14 Mar. 2018 Invariably, final communiques are couched in bland terms to cover up differences that always exist between participants. — Ciara Nugent, Time, "'An Unprecedented Scandal': How Newspapers Around the World Reacted to Trump's Behavior at the G-7 Summit," 11 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Thomas Cowle doesn’t have much to his name — a bed, a couch and, most notably, a roof over his head. — Kate Santich, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Inmates build, then donate furniture to formerly homeless residents in Orlando," 13 July 2018 In dollar terms, the items most likely to rattle American consumers are computers and couches. — New York Times, "Trade War With China in Aisle 12," 12 July 2018 At Higher Limits Cannabis Lounge in Windsor, where adults smoke medical marijuana while sitting on couches or bar stools and smoking devices including bongs are prominently displayed, co-owner Jon Liedtke has big plans to welcome American tourists. — Author: Lornet Turnbull, Katie Zezima, Anchorage Daily News, "When marijuana is legal in Canada, Americans are expected to flock. But the border, and US law, stands in the way.," 11 July 2018 As the season continues, the tension between the two women comes to a head first when Debbie rails at Ruth for running away from a casting-couch situation that might have saved their show. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "The Love Story of Debbie and Ruth," 10 July 2018 The first step, Roddy said, was to remove everything the Superior Court wanted to keep — benches, lamps, desks, couches and book cases. — Pauline Repard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Old downtown courthouse being stripped before demolition," 7 July 2018 One club has couches and modern, silver tables for drinks and food. — Steve Harrison, charlotteobserver, "NFL stadiums are more luxurious than ever. Here's how the Panthers could keep up.," 5 July 2018 Postmates, cuddling on the couch, and calling it a night. — Raha Lewis, PEOPLE.com, "New Bachelor Couple Ashley Iaconetti and Jared Haibon See 'Potential Life Partners' in Each Other," 23 May 2018 In the photo, her daughter Cricket gleefully gives a thumbs up while sitting at a tiny pink piano and a matching harp is propped up near her older sister Birdie, who is reading on the couch. — Olivia Harrison, refinery29.com, "Every Celeb Kid Is Strumming On This Quaint Fairytale Instrument, But Why?," 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'couch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.