First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1couple
noun cou·ple \ˈkə-pəl; “couple of” is often ˌkə-plə(v)\
: two people who are married or who have a romantic or sexual relationship
: two people or things that are together
Full Definition of COUPLE
1
a : two persons married, engaged, or otherwise romantically paired b : two persons paired together
3
: something that joins or links two things together: as a : two equal and opposite forces that act along parallel lines b : a pair of substances that in contact with an electrolyte participate in a transfer of electrons which causes an electric current to flow
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Origin of COUPLE
Middle English, pair, bond, from Anglo-French cuple, from Latin copula bond, from co- + apere to fasten — more at apt
Related to COUPLE
Other Physics Terms
Rhymes with COUPLE
2couple
verb cou·ple \ˈkə-pəl\
: to join (two things) together
: to join (something) to something else
cou·pledcou·pling \-p(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of COUPLE
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
See couple defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of COUPLE
13th century
3couple
adjective
Definition of COUPLE
Usage Discussion of COUPLE
The adjective use of a couple, without of, has been called nonstandard, but it is not. In both British and American English it is standard before a word (as more or less) indicating degree <a couple more examples of Middle English writing — Charles Barber>. Its use before an ordinary plural noun is an Americanism, common in speech and in writing that is not meant to be formal or elevated <the first couple chapters are pretty good — E. B. White (letter)> <still operated a couple wagons for hire — Garrison Keillor>. It is most frequently used with periods of time <a couple weeks> and numbers <a couple hundred> <a couple dozen>.
First Known Use of COUPLE
1924
Rhymes with COUPLE
COUPLED Defined for Kids
1couple
noun cou·ple \ˈkəp-əl\
Definition of COUPLE for Kids
1
: two people who are married or in a romantic relationship
2
: two people or things paired together <Line up in couples.>
3
: two things that are of the same kind or that are thought of together <It cost a couple of dollars.> <A couple of strange things happened today.>
2couple
verb
cou·pledcou·pling
Definition of COUPLE for Kids
1
: to join or link together : connect <Workers coupled freight cars.>
2
: to join in pairs
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