kauch
B1Neutral (common in everyday, business, and academic contexts)
Definition
Meaning
A long piece of furniture for sitting or lying on; typically upholstered and with a back and arms.
A piece of furniture for sitting or reclining; a sofa. Also used in medical contexts (examination couch) and figuratively as a verb meaning to express something in a particular way, or to lie down (especially of an animal).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to a piece of furniture. The verb 'to couch' is formal/literary. In a medical context, 'couch' is the standard UK term for an examination table.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'couch' is common but 'sofa' is equally or more frequent. In the US, 'couch' is the dominant term. In medical settings, UK uses 'couch' (examination couch), US uses 'table' (examination table).
Connotations
UK 'couch' is slightly more informal than 'sofa'. US 'couch' is standard, with no strong formality distinction from 'sofa'.
Frequency
More frequent in American English for the furniture sense. The verb 'couch' is rare and formal in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
couch something in terms of somethingcouch something as somethingbe couched in something (language)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “couch potato”
- “on the psychiatrist's couch”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; may appear in marketing ('a comfortable couch for your office lounge').
Academic
Formal verb usage: 'The theory is couched in complex terminology.'
Everyday
Very common: 'I'll relax on the couch.'
Technical
Medical (UK): 'Please lie on the examination couch.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The agreement was carefully couched in legal language.
- He couched his refusal in polite terms.
American English
- The proposal is couched as a compromise.
- She couched her criticism in a question.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cat sleeps on the couch.
- We bought a new couch for the living room.
- He spent the weekend as a couch potato watching films.
- Please take a seat on the couch.
- The therapist asked her to lie down on the couch.
- The diplomat couched his warning in friendly advice.
- The findings were couched in such technical jargon that they were inaccessible to policymakers.
- The Victorian chaise longue is a forerunner of the modern couch.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COWCH: a cow trying to sit on a small couch – it sounds like 'couch'.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMFORT IS A SOFT SURFACE / COMMUNICATION IS PACKAGING (couched in terms)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'кухня' (kitchen).
- The verb 'to couch' is not 'лежать' (to lie) in most contexts; it's formal for 'выражать'.
- In Russian, 'ковш' means 'ladle' – a false friend.
Common Mistakes
- Spelling: 'coach' (a vehicle/trainer) vs. 'couch'.
- Using 'couch' as a verb in informal speech.
- In US English, saying 'examination couch' instead of 'examination table'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'couch' most likely used in British English but not American English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In everyday use, they are synonyms. 'Sofa' is sometimes considered slightly more formal or UK-centric, while 'couch' is dominant in the US. Historically, 'sofa' implied more formality.
Yes, but it is formal. It means to express something in words of a particular kind (e.g., 'couched in polite terms').
It's an idiom for a person who spends a lot of time sitting or lying down, especially watching television.
Yes, in British English, an 'examination couch' is standard. In American English, 'examination table' is used.