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couple

couple

1.0
A small number of people or things, not many
  • noun
  • /ˈkʌpəl/
translation icon : un par (de)
  • Can you give me a couple of minutes to finish my work?
  • a couple of years
  • a couple of months ago
  • a couple of decades

So anyone can get hot for a couple years real quick.

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Examples

  • Could be a couple of weeks.

  • Wow, it has been a fun couple hours of pure calculus.

  • But I just need a couple little things.

  • What is the vision of your next couple months or next couple years?

  • Provide parents with a look at a couple of the daily activity options.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Hey, give us a couple of drinks, will you?

  • So, for the first couple of class sessions, I gave them a task to complete.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Harry visited me at the office a couple of times to peek at photos.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • If you would be so kind, there are a couple of letters I wish to dictate.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • We have only got a couple of days with this joystick, so let's make the most of it.

Synonyms

few
vscouple
1.0

A small number of people or things

is an indefinite small number but often emphasizes scarcity
a few
vscouple
1.0

A small number of people or things, more than one but not many

is a small indefinite number that can include slightly more items
several
vscouple
1.0

More than two but not many people or things

is a small indefinite number that tends to be larger than others
handful
vscouple
315 1.0

A small number of people or things

is a similar small amount but less specific about exact count
a couple of
vscouple
144 1.0

A small number of things or people, usually two but sometimes a few

is a small indefinite number often more than two

Antonyms

1.0

Not any of a group of people or things

Idioms

144 1.0

A small number of things or people, usually two but sometimes a few

Compounds

1.0

A small number of things or people, usually two but sometimes a few

Two people who are married to each other

power couple
  • Literature
8 3.6

Two people in a romantic relationship who are both very successful and influential

moment of a couple
  • Specialized
8.6

A turning effect that two equal opposite forces make when they are apart

Two people in a romantic relationship who are not married to each other

How Many

many
9 1.0
several
1.0
a few
1.0
couple
1.0

Surface Forms

couple singular
couples plural

Etymology

Couple originally meant 'two', from Latin copula 'link', and a helpful way to remember the informal use is that people began using 'a couple of' to mean 'a small number' or 'a few'.