Words / B2

KOWCH/kaʊtʃ/

A couch is a long, soft seat for two or more people; as a verb (formal), to express in a particular way: on the couch; couched in. Sofa and settee are close British twins; phrase and express are verb twins. A couch in the waiting room is not a sampling frame. Mix-up: couch vs coach; cough; do not write couch for a furniture advert with no interview or wording in the source.

Meaning

A long, soft seat for two or more people; as a verb (formal), to express in a particular way.

Examples

• “A couch in the waiting room is not a sampling frame; still log the interview time.”
• “The warning was couched in legal language, the circular said, which is the express-in-a-style sense — still name the statute.”

Good to know

a couch; on the couch; couched in + noun. Close: sofa / settee. Verb: phrase / express. Trap: coach / cough. Methods and language. A sofa, or to word something in a stated way — specify.

Near in meaning

sofa, settee, phrase

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