coupon

noun

cou·​pon ˈkü-ˌpän  ˈkyü- 

1

: a statement of due interest to be cut from a bearer bond when payable and presented for payment

also : the interest rate of a coupon

2

: a small piece of paper that allows one to get a service or product for free or at a lower price: such as

a

: one of a series of attached tickets or certificates often to be detached and presented as needed

b

: a ticket or form authorizing purchases of rationed commodities

c

: a certificate or similar evidence of a purchase redeemable in premiums

d

: a part of a printed advertisement to be cut off to use as an order blank or inquiry form or to obtain a discount on merchandise or services

Synonyms

• check
• pass
• pasteboard
• ticket

Example Sentences

Bring in this coupon for a free oil change.

I'm always clipping coupons from the newspaper to use at the grocery store.

The coupon is good for one free ice-cream cone.

Send in this coupon for more information.

Recent Examples on the Web

Yaheetech Upholstered Bed Frame, $64.88 with coupon (orig. —Amy Schulman, Peoplemag, 17 May 2023

Marvel Avengers Hulk Fist Bottle Opener, $9.99 with coupon (orig. —Melissa Epifano, EW.com, 15 May 2023

Kirkland’s Home will also honor 20% off on single item coupons across all 430+ locations through May 31. —Cameron Jenkins, Good Housekeeping, 28 Apr. 2023

Gift cards will be good until May 8, and coupons will be accepted until Wednesday. —Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, 25 Apr. 2023

Sha Cerlin Upholstered Queen Bed, $79.95 with coupon (orig. —Clara Mcmahon, Peoplemag, 13 May 2023

Use apps to take advantage of smarter, money-saving decisions and to take advantage of discounts and coupons. —Winnie Sun, Forbes, 3 May 2023

The chain turned lemons into lemonade, though, offering a $10 bucket promotion on its app and coupons to disappointed carnivores. —Spencer Jakab, wsj.com, 3 May 2023

And thanks to a 15 percent off onsite coupon, the case is only less than $15 right now. —Chaunie Brusie, Travel + Leisure, 30 Apr. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

French, from Old French, piece, from couper to cut — more at cope entry 1

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing coupon

• zero coupon

• zero coupon

Kids Definition

coupon

noun

cou·​pon ˈk(y)ü-ˌpän 

1

: a statement of due interest to be cut from a bond and presented for payment on a stated date

2

a

: one of a series of tickets to be detached and presented as needed

b

: a ticket or form allowing the bearer to purchase rationed articles

c

: a certificate or other evidence of a purchase that may be exchanged for premiums

d

: a part of an advertisement to be cut off to use as an order blank or inquiry form or to obtain a discount on the price of something

Etymology

from French coupon "a part of a bill to be cut off and turned in with payment," from early French coupon "a piece (cut off)," from couper "to cut" — related to cope entry 2, coup

Legal Definition

coupon

noun

cou·​pon ˈkü-ˌpän, ˈkyü- 

: a statement of due interest to be cut from a debt instrument and especially a bearer bond when payable and presented for payment

also : the interest rate of a coupon

Etymology

French, from Old French, piece, from couper to cut