a couple
idiom
informal
1
: two or a few (of something)
Can you give me a couple more examples?
This one costs a couple dollars less than that one.
—In informal U.S. English, a couple can be used like a couple ofI lost interest in the book after a couple chapters.
We met a couple years ago.
2
: two or a few
"How many drinks have you had?" "Oh, just a couple."
Examples of a couple in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Who knew that would happen just a couple of years later?
—
Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 May 2024
He’s also slated for at least a couple more starts in the 28 car as well.
—Todd Engle, Kansas City Star, 4 May 2024
Trump could theoretically face a couple decades in prison if convicted on all 34 felony counts.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 4 May 2024
During testing, red crayon, dark soda, and dirt came up with just a couple of sprays and a single wipe, while tomato paste required more sprays and wiping to get it all off the floor.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2024
To protect small saplings, gardeners can cover the plants with netting for a couple of weeks; the Morton Arboretum recommends postponing the spring planting of young trees.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2024
Cloudy and cooler with a couple of thunderstorms beginning in the late morning.
—Brendan Connelly, The Enquirer, 3 May 2024
As a white environmental historian with a couple of decades under her belt in the North, Demuth recognizes her position as a relative newcomer.
—Longreads, 3 May 2024
In that clip, she’s seen wearing a hot pink midi bodycon dress with a couple of cutouts, posing on a pier and looking up at the clear blue sky.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 2 May 2024
Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 May 2024
He’s also slated for at least a couple more starts in the 28 car as well.
—Todd Engle, Kansas City Star, 4 May 2024
Trump could theoretically face a couple decades in prison if convicted on all 34 felony counts.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 4 May 2024
During testing, red crayon, dark soda, and dirt came up with just a couple of sprays and a single wipe, while tomato paste required more sprays and wiping to get it all off the floor.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2024
To protect small saplings, gardeners can cover the plants with netting for a couple of weeks; the Morton Arboretum recommends postponing the spring planting of young trees.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2024
Cloudy and cooler with a couple of thunderstorms beginning in the late morning.
—Brendan Connelly, The Enquirer, 3 May 2024
As a white environmental historian with a couple of decades under her belt in the North, Demuth recognizes her position as a relative newcomer.
—Longreads, 3 May 2024
In that clip, she’s seen wearing a hot pink midi bodycon dress with a couple of cutouts, posing on a pier and looking up at the clear blue sky.
—Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 2 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'a 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 a couple
Cite this Entry
“A couple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20couple. Accessed 8 May. 2024.
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