couple1 nouncouple2 verb
couplecou‧ple1 /ˈkʌpəl/ ●●● S1 W1 AWL noun 
WORD ORIGINcouple1
Origin:
1200-1300 Old French cople, from Latin copula; ➔ COPULAEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- A young couple were walking hand in hand along the beach.
- An elderly couple live next door.
- An elderly couple was sitting on the park bench.
- It's increasingly common for unmarried couples to live together.
- Shirley and Bob are a young married couple with two small children.
- the couple who live next door to me
- The house was bought by a young married couple.
- They're a nice couple, aren't they?
- An entrepreneurial couple we talked to had always wanted to run a bed-and-breakfast.
- And I've seen Fred a couple of times in the last few years.
- By making breaking up harder to do, supporters believe that couples will focus more on staying together.
- He intends to invite some of these couples and top fertility clinic experts to appear before his panel.
- However, away from the cameras and microphones, the couple argued continually.
- It was a couple of hours before I could get back to Eleanor Darcy.
- Most bankruptcies involve couples who jointly file a petition to have their debts wiped out.
- The couple fell in love before they had even set eyes on each other during a six-month long distance courtship.
Longman Language Activatora small number of people or things
a small number of people, things, places etc: · Most of the trees were destroyed by the fire, but a few survived.a few people/days/things etc: · She's gone to stay with her father for a few days.· Can I borrow a few dollars until I get paid?· I invited a few friends around on Saturday night.a few of (=a small number from a larger group): · Sean left the gate open and a few of the cows got out.
formal a few people, things, places etc, especially when they are part of a much bigger number: · Hundreds of people begin the training programme, but only a small number complete it successfully.a small number of: · Only a small number of people still speak Gaelic.· The new system is being tested in a small number of schools.· A relatively small number of industrially advanced countries control the world economy.
a smaller number than you expected or wanted: · "Were there many people at the show?" "No, not many."not many people/places etc: · There weren't many people at the party, but we still had a good time.· Not many restaurants stay open after midnight.not many of: · I think I'm quite a good cook but not many of my friends agree with me.
spoken a small number of people or things: · "Do you have any Bob Dylan albums?" "Yes, one or two."one or two people/places/questions etc: · We've had one or two problems with the car but nothing serious.· There are one or two things I'd like to ask you about.one or two of: · I only know the names of one or two of the new students.
especially spoken two, or a small number: · "How many drinks did you have?" "Just a couple."a couple of: · A couple of kids were playing in the street.· I saw her a couple of days ago.
a very small number of people or things, especially when this number is disappointing or surprising: · We offer a gym for our employees but only a handful ever use it.a handful of: · Only a handful of artists in Britain can make a living from painting.· A handful of people stayed after the concert to help clear the chairs away.
a small group of people or things from within a larger group, usually forming much less than half of the larger group: a minority of: · Only a minority of union members voted in favour of continuing the strike.a small/tiny etc minority: · Joyce is among the tiny minority of arthritis sufferers who experience these symptoms.· Every year more than three hundred students enter this program but only a small minority will go on to become lawyers.
if something is sparse , there are only very small amounts of it, especially spread over a large area: · sparse traffic· Trees are sparse in this part of the world because of the continuous wind that blows across the plains.
the people who are married two people who are married to each other, or who are having a romantic relationship: · An elderly couple live next door.· They're a nice couple, aren't they?married couple: · Shirley and Bob are a young married couple with two small children.
a man and woman who have recently married: · Everyone left at about midnight, leaving the newlyweds alone at last.· The hotel seemed to be full of newlyweds.
formal a married couple: as man and wife: · Terry and Meena aren't married but they live together as man and wife.pronounce somebody man and wife (=say that two people are officially married): · Mom burst into tears as the minister pronounced us man and wife.
· Are you married or single?· We've been married for 25 years.married to · Geraldine was married to the richest man in France and still pretended she couldn't afford a new outfit.happily married · Richard is happily married with two young children.
the woman that a man is married to: · My wife's career is very important to her.· Have you met the Ambassador's wife?first/second etc wife: · He remarried after his first wife died of cancer.
the man that a woman is married to: · I don't like Francesca's husband very much.· How many husbands would stay at home and take care of the children while their wife goes out to work?first/second etc husband: · Gary's her second husband.
formal the man or woman that someone is married to - use this in legal or official contexts: · You may choose to pay income tax jointly or separately from your spouse.
the person that someone lives with in a romantic relationship - use this whether they are married or not: · Have you met my partner, Ray?· The office party is on Friday, but partners aren't invited.
the people in a wedding the woman who is getting married: · Everyone turned around as the bride entered the church.· Teenage brides are twice as likely to end up being divorced as women who marry later.· He took his young bride to live on the ranch in Wyoming.
the man who is getting married: · It is traditional for the groom to buy presents for the bridesmaids.· Can I take a photograph of the bride and groom?
informal a man and a woman who have just got married: · I'd like to propose a toast to the happy couple.· Everyone waved goodbye as the happy couple drove away.
one of the women who help the bride on her wedding day, and who stand with her during the ceremony: · My three sisters were bridesmaids for me.
the chief man who helps the groom on his wedding day, and who stands with him during the ceremony: · I was honoured that he asked me to be his best man.
British /matron of honor American the chief married woman who helps the bride on the day of her wedding, and who stands with her during the ceremony: · I asked my older sister, Louise, to be my matron of honor.
British /maid of honor American the chief unmarried woman who helps the bride on the day of her wedding and who stands with her during the ceremony: · Leslie couldn't decide which of her college friends she wanted for her maid of honor.
American one of the men who help the groom on his wedding day, and who stand with him during the ceremony: · We need one groomsman for each bridesmaid.
some, but not a large number a number of people or things, but not a large number - use this when you are not saying exactly what the number is: · There were some children playing in the street.· "Have we got any biscuits?" "Yes, I've just bought some."some of: · Come over here and meet some of my friends.some more: · I've got some more photos of her upstairs.some other: · There are some other reasons as well as those I have mentioned.
a small number of people, things etc: · "Are there any chocolates left?" "Only a few."· They went to China a few years ago.· We know a few people who work in advertising.a few of: · I'm going to the club with a few of my friends.
more than a few people or things, but not a large number: · The President visited several states on his tour.· We've had several meetings, but nothing has been agreed.· She's been to Japan several times.several of: · I've read several of his books and they're really good.· Several of the islands have beautiful beaches.
several: · A number of people said they had seen the stolen van earlier in the day.· We have received a number of complaints about last night's programme.· A number of her ideas were very good indeed.
informal a very small number but at least two: · I'd just like to ask you a couple of questions before you go.· Those baskets are nice, and they only cost a couple of quid.· There wasn't much mail this morning - just a couple of bills.
two people two people who are together, especially because they are married or have a sexual relationship: · the couple who live next door to me· A young couple were walking hand in hand along the beach.a married couple (=a couple who are married): · The house was bought by a young married couple.
two people who are doing something together, or who are similar or connected in some way: pair of: · They felt like a pair of burglars, enjoying themselves in someone else's house while the owner was away.in pairs (=working in groups of two): · Do the next exercise in pairs.a strange/funny/friendly etc pair: · Bill and his brother were a rather odd-looking pair.
two people who work or perform together: · a brilliant young comedy duo· the successful management duo of Doug Livermore and Ray Clemence
two 2: · We've got two dogs and three cats.· There used to be five churches in the town. Now there are only two.· It takes two hours to get there.two of: · Two of the boys in the hockey team were sick.
informal two: · I haven't got any stamps - could you lend me a couple?a couple of: · I've got a couple of tickets for the game on Saturday.· She lived in Japan for a couple of years.
when something happens two times · The weather was great - it only rained twice in three weeks.· She's been married twice before.twice a day/month/year etc (=when something happens regularly two times every day, month etc) · I play golf twice a week.· Staff meetings are held twice a month.twice over British · You should read the exam question twice over before answering it.· The company's accounts were checked twice over, the second time by an independent auditor.
informal two or three times: · I've been out with Harry a couple of times, but I wouldn't call him my boyfriend.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 2adjectives
It was a happy but childless marriage.
· A young couple with a baby have just moved into the house next door.
· Under the new rules, a married couple will now receive £20 a week extra.
(=having married not long ago)· Many newly married couples cannot afford to buy their own homes.
· She rented the room to a young, unmarried couple.
(=without children)· Are childless couples more or less likely to split up?
(=having finished working at the end of their working lives)· The house is suitable for a retired couple.
(=the bride and bridegroom at their wedding)· Guests stood around the happy couple, their glasses raised.
(=a couple that seem very suitable for each other)· Emily and John seemed a perfect couple.
old-fashioned (=having a romantic relationship, often planning to get married later)· The path by the river is a popular area for courting couples.
phrases (=look very attractive together/suit each other well)· You two would make a lovely couple.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES It was a happy but childless marriage. (=a couple that have just got married or will soon get married)
· Most of their friends are married couples.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· The threshold for childless couples under pensionable age was 57 percent above income support levels.· Like many childless couples, Bobbie and Philip Bernisch wanted a baby.· When the embryo was found to be male the Mastertons gave it away to a childless couple.· Maria Park had even talked the childless presidential couple into adopting her older son.· It was on the outskirts of the village and belonged to an elderly, childless couple.· Inpart it was a response to the needs of childless white couples for whom white infants were no longer available for adoption.· It has all the latest technology to help childless couples, but not enough first-class semen.· I think in vitro fertilisation is wonderful for childless couples, but I could never consider that option for us.
· As she opened the gate, some people came out of the front door - an elderly couple with Susan behind them.· In 1952, the family rented an 800-square-foot, two-bedroom apartment that the elderly couple still call home.· An elderly couple were leaning over their garden gate.· An elderly couple is silently eating chicken and mashed potatoes at a table by the window.· The only photograph was of an elderly couple on top of the television, grey-haired and sporting smiles of false teeth.· The other man to die was Brian Roberson, 36, who stabbed to death an elderly couple in 1986.· Still the elderly couple, a Mr and Mrs Stevenson, stayed with me.· The clients included secretaries, elderly couples, marketing managers.
· As the happy couple took their places there was a stir and a rising babble behind them.· The happy couple warring in public, being at odds over what really was the truth.· They walk, like a happy couple.· Now the happy couple plan a new ceremony to bless their marriage.· Friends and relatives are expected to give paper money to the happy couple after traditional ceremonies, writes Gurbir Dhillon.· In Anne and Tim, she will be longing for at least one happy couple within the Royal Family.· The dancing had stopped momentarily, and a space had been cleared round the happy couple.· Even the happiest of couples need some space between them.
· We gaze across the breakfast things like an old married couple, and I remove a smear of marmalade from the tablecloth.· One of the implications of this is that married couples will be together for longer.· The proportion of out-of-wedlock births has increased so much mainly because the number of births to married couples has sharply declined.· Their life was going to be different from those of the married couples around them, he had promised himself.· Your tour started with only three married couples, did it not?· Voluntary childlessness Perhaps 5 percent of married couples choose to be childless.· All married couples, provided they live together, are entitled to claim.· By 1988, married couples with children made up no more than 26 percent of all households in Britain.
· It is a happy but open ending, as the young couple, like most others, face an uncertain future.· And there was this terrific young couple, Herb, deep in lust and love.· With a young couple aboard it?· None the less the young couple eventually married, which in the face of so much Glover resistance undoubtedly took some strength and resolve.· Time allowed 00:18 Read in studio Eight young couples are living in new homes thanks to a village's own housing scheme.· Right away I get flagged by a young couple standing next to a building with bars on the doors and windows.· A young couple, they had been out touring; she was driving and in charge.· We finally found a young couple and they got as far as the front door.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
- "How many drinks did you have?" "Just a couple."
- A couple of kids were playing in the street.
- I've got a couple of tickets for the game on Saturday.
- I haven't got any stamps - could you lend me a couple?
- I saw her a couple of days ago.
- She lived in Japan for a couple of years.
WORD FAMILYnouncouplecouplingverbcouple
1a couple a)two things or people of the same kind SYN a fewcouple of There are a couple of girls waiting for you. b)a small number of things: I just need to make a couple more calls.couple of You’ll be all right in a couple of days.2[countable] two people who are married or having a sexual or romantic relationship: a newly married couple the couple next doorCOLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2adjectivesa young/middle-aged/elderly couple· A young couple with a baby have just moved into the house next door.a married couple· Under the new rules, a married couple will now receive £20 a week extra.a newly married couple (=having married not long ago)· Many newly married couples cannot afford to buy their own homes.an unmarried couple· She rented the room to a young, unmarried couple.a childless couple (=without children)· Are childless couples more or less likely to split up?a retired couple (=having finished working at the end of their working lives)· The house is suitable for a retired couple.the happy couple (=the bride and bridegroom at their wedding)· Guests stood around the happy couple, their glasses raised.a perfect couple (=a couple that seem very suitable for each other)· Emily and John seemed a perfect couple.a courting couple old-fashioned (=having a romantic relationship, often planning to get married later)· The path by the river is a popular area for courting couples.phrasesthey make a lovely couple (=look very attractive together/suit each other well)· You two would make a lovely couple.couple1 nouncouple2 verb
couplecouple2 AWL verb VERB TABLE
couple
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | couple |
| he, she, it | couples | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | coupled |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have coupled |
| he, she, it | has coupled | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had coupled |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will couple |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have coupled |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am coupling |
| he, she, it | is coupling | |
| you, we, they | are coupling | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was coupling |
| you, we, they | were coupling | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been coupling |
| he, she, it | has been coupling | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been coupling |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be coupling |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been coupling |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Efficiency is improved by coupling large numbers of boxcars together.
- And Feinstein had voted for an earlier version when it was coupled with a minimum wage increase.
- But after three relatively small grape harvests in a row coupled with continuing strong consumer demand, grape prices continue to increase.
- This meant, I assumed, that men coupled on the premises.
- This must be coupled with the creation of an attractive environment, through the transformation of derelict sites.
WORD SETS
accelerate, verbaerodynamic, adjectiveaerodynamics, nounairfreight, nounaisle, nounarr., baggage room, nounboard, verbboarding, nounBOL, booking office, nounbrake, nounbrake, verbbrake light, nounbrake shoe, nounbreakdown clause, bulk freight, C&F, cable car, nouncable railway, nouncargo, nouncarriage, nouncarrier, nouncart, nounCFR, change, verbchange, nounchassis, nounchopper, nounCMR, compartment, nounconcourse, nounconductor, nouncongested, adjectiveconnect, verbconnection, nounconsolidator, nouncontainer, nounconveyance, nounconvoy, nouncouple, verbcoupling, nouncourier, nouncourier, verbcrash, verbcrash, nouncrew, nouncrewman, nouncruise, verbcutting, noundead reckoning, noundelivery date, departure, noundestination, noundispatch rider, noundistribution channel, diverge, verbdouble-book, verbdrop-off, noundrop-shipping, nounelevated railway, nounengine, nounengineer, nounETA, nounfare, nounfeeder, nounfirst class, nounfirst-class, adjectivefloating insurance, flow, verbFOB, FOB airport, fogbound, adjectiveFOR, fork, nounfork, verbfree of particular average, adjectivefreighter, noungangway, noungross weight, Gro t, gyroscope, nounHague Rules, nounhelmet, nounhigh-speed, adjectivehijack, verbhijack, nounhitch, verbhub airport, ICAO, intercity, adjectiveinternational airport, interstate, adjectivekph, LGV, line, nounloading, nounluge, nounluggage, nounluggage rack, nounmachine, nounmarine insurance, mileage, nounmilepost, nounmotion sickness, nounmph, mudflap, nounnavigate, verbnavigation, nounnet weight, one-way, adjectiveopen insurance, outride, verbovertake, verbpackager, nounpannier, nounpart shipment, passenger, nounpayload, nounportage, nounporter, nounpropulsion, nounramp, nounreceiving office, red-eye, nounregional airport, re-route, verbreturn, nounreturn, adjectivereverse logistics, ride, verbroller, nounround-trip, nounround-trip, adjectiveroute, nounroute, verbrun, verbrun, nounschedule, nounsecond class, nounservice, nounship, verbshipload, nounshipment, nounshipper, nounshipping, nounshuttle, nounshuttle, verbsingle, adjectivesingle, nounski, nounskid, verbskid, nounstabilizer, nounstaging post, nounstall, verbsteering wheel, nounstopping distance, nounstowage, nounsubsonic, adjectivesupersonic, adjectivesurface transport, tailwind, nountanker, nounticket, nountime machine, nountimetable, nountourist class, nountowrope, nountrack, nountrack, verbtraffic, nountranscontinental, adjectivetransfer, verbtransfer, nountransit visa, nountransportation, nountransship, travel insurance, troop carrier, nountruckload, nountunnel, nountwo-seater, nountyre, noununderway, adjectiveU-turn, nounviaduct, nounwheel, nounwheel, verbwreck, nounyaw, verbyield, verb
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES It was a happy but childless marriage.
It was a happy but childless marriage. (=a couple that have just got married or will soon get married)
· Most of their friends are married couples.
WORD FAMILYnouncouplecouplingverbcouple
1[transitive] to join or fasten two things togethercouple something to something Each element is mathematically coupled to its neighbours.2[intransitive] formal to have sexcouple something with something phrasal verb if one thing is coupled with another, the two things happen or exist together and produce a particular result SYN combine: Lack of rain coupled with high temperatures caused the crops to fail.GRAMMAR Couple with is usually passive.