COUPLE

Definition of COUPLE

COUPLE Noun and Verb

Couple can be used as a noun and a verb, referring to a pair of people or things, or the act of joining or pairing together.

COUPLE as a noun

As a noun, a couple denotes two individuals or items that are linked together or considered as a unit. For example, “The couple went for a walk in the park,” describes two people in a romantic relationship or partnership.

Relationship Dynamics: In common usage, a couple often refers to a romantic partnership or marriage. It implies a bond characterized by mutual affection, companionship, and shared experiences.

Quantitative Measure: Additionally, couple can refer to a small number of items considered together, typically two, such as “a couple of apples” or “a couple of hours,” indicating a small, indefinite quantity.

COUPLE as a verb

As a verb, to couple means to join or connect two things together. For instance, “He coupled the trailer to the car,” describes the action of attaching or linking two objects.

Variations and Usage: The term couple is versatile and can be used in various contexts beyond personal relationships, including mechanical coupling in engineering, paired items in linguistics, or even a small group of people in informal settings.

Social and Cultural Significance: The concept of a couple carries social and cultural significance, representing partnership, commitment, and sometimes legal or religious union, depending on the context and cultural norms.

In summary, couple serves as both a noun and a verb, describing a pair of people or things joined together or the act of joining them. It encompasses relationships, quantitative measures, and diverse applications across different fields and social contexts.

Examples of COUPLE in a sentence

COUPLE as a noun in a sentence

  • A couple refers to two people who are romantically involved or married to each other.
  • The newlywed couple celebrated their wedding with a grand reception attended by family and friends.
  • A loving couple often shares mutual support, understanding, and companionship in their relationship.
  • The couple decided to adopt a pet together, symbolizing their commitment to building a life together.
  • Many couples enjoy spending quality time together through shared hobbies and activities.
  • The elderly couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a heartfelt ceremony.
  • Financial planning is essential for a couple to ensure a stable and secure future.
  • Relationship counseling can help a couple navigate challenges and strengthen their bond.

COUPLE as a verb in a sentence

  • The engineer decided to couple the two systems together to improve overall efficiency.
  • To create a more powerful engine, they had to couple the motor with an advanced transmission system.
  • The chef will couple the main dish with a complementary wine to enhance the dining experience.
  • They wanted to couple their efforts in a joint project to maximize their impact on the community.
  • You can couple the Bluetooth speaker with your phone to play music wirelessly.
  • The instructor will couple theoretical knowledge with practical exercises for better learning outcomes.
  • The team plans to couple their resources and expertise to tackle the complex problem more effectively.
  • In electronics, it is common to couple circuits to allow for better communication between components.

Origin of COUPLE

The term couple has a rich etymological history, evolving through Latin and Old French to arrive at its current usage in English.

  • Latin Influence: The word couple originates from the Latin word “copula,” meaning “a bond” or “tie.” This term is derived from the verb “copulare,” which means “to couple, to link together.”
  • Old French Adoption: From Latin, the term transitioned into Old French as “cople” or “couple,” retaining its connotation of a bond or connection between two things or people.
  • Middle English Formation: The word was then adopted into Middle English, evolving into “couple,” and began to be used more broadly to refer to two individuals or items that are paired together.
  • Modern English Usage: Today, couple is commonly used to refer to two people who are romantically linked or to any pair of objects or individuals considered together.

The evolution of couple from Latin through Old French to modern English highlights its longstanding association with the idea of connection and pairing, whether referring to people or objects.

Synonyms

  • Pair
  • Duo
  • Partners
  • Twosome
  • Couple
  • Spouses
  • Companions
  • Lovebirds

Antonyms

  • Single
  • Individual
  • Lone
  • Solo
  • Unaccompanied
  • Alone
  • Solitary
  • Singular

Related

  • Relationship
  • Marriage
  • Partnership
  • Romance
  • Union
  • Engagement
  • Cohabitation
  • Companionship

🌐 🇬🇧 COUPLE in other languages

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