couch

1 of 2

verb

ˈkau̇ch 

couched; couching; couches

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

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: 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)

Phrases

on the couch

: receiving psychoanalytic treatment

Synonyms

Verb

• articulate
• clothe
• express
• formulate
• phrase
• put
• say
• state
• word

Noun

• chesterfield
• davenport
• divan
• lounge
• settee
• sofa
• squab

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 wording in those posts were often couched, appearing to be an insider’s intuition. —Katie Strang, The Athletic, 1 Aug. 2024

Some American journalists and politicians couched their desire to round up and imprison Japanese Americans in humanitarian terms: to protect them from potential mob violence. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024

Noun

Suzie and Sunny sit together on the couch, watching TV like snug domestic companions. —Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2024

The reality star's post also featured a snap of her belly button piercing, as well as selfies of herself and Chicago holding up peace signs while sitting on the couch. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French cucher, from Latin collocare to set in place — more at collocate

Noun

Middle English couche bed, from Anglo-French kuche, from cucher

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing couch

• casting couch
• couch grass
• couch potato
• on the couch
• studio couch

Kids Definition

couch

1 of 2 verb

ˈkau̇ch 

1

: to lie down for rest or sleep

2

: to bring down : lower

a knight charging with couched lance

3

: to phrase in a specified manner

a letter couched in polite terms

couch

2 of 2 noun

: a piece of furniture (as a sofa) that one can sit or lie on

Medical Definition

couch

1 of 2 transitive verb

ˈkau̇ch 

: to treat (a cataract or a person who has a cataract) by displacing the lens of the eye into the vitreous body

couch

2 of 2 noun

: an article of furniture used (as by a patient undergoing psychoanalysis) for sitting or reclining