couple
/'kʌpl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A pair of people or things: Two items or individuals that are linked, associated, or considered together.
- A small indefinite number: A small number, typically more than two but not many; often used informally to mean "a few."
- A married or romantically involved pair: Two people who are married, engaged, or in a long-term romantic relationship.
- (Physics) A pair of equal and opposite parallel forces: A system of two forces that tend to cause rotation.
Verb:
- To link or connect two things: To join or fasten two items together.
- To associate or connect in thought: To link two ideas, names, or concepts.
- To engage in sexual intercourse: (Used for animals or, informally, for people).
Examples of Usage
Noun:
- They are a lovely couple. (They are a lovely pair of people in a relationship.)
- I need a couple of chairs for the guests. (I need two or a few chairs.)
- A rotating couple was applied to the beam. (A pair of forces causing rotation was applied.)
Verb:
- The train cars were coupled together. (The train cars were linked together.)
- His name is often coupled with the invention. (His name is often linked with the invention.)
- The animals coupled in the spring. (The animals mated in the spring.)
Advanced Usage
- "A couple of": Used to indicate a small, indefinite number (roughly two, but sometimes a few more).
- I'll be there in a couple of minutes. (I'll be there in a few minutes.)
- "To couple with": To combine or link one thing with another.
- Hard work, coupled with talent, leads to success. (Hard work, combined with talent, leads to success.)
Variants and Related Words
- Coupling (n): A device that connects two things, especially mechanical parts.
- Check the coupling between the engine and the gearbox.
- Coupler (n): Something that couples or links, especially in electronics or mechanics.
- Uncoupled (adj./v.): Not connected; to disconnect.
- The engineer uncoupled the locomotive.
Synonyms
- Noun: Pair, duo, twosome, brace.
- Verb: Connect, link, join, combine, pair, unite.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Couple up: To form pairs or to connect.
- The students were asked to couple up for the exercise. (The students were asked to form pairs.)
- Couple together: To join or link things.
- These ideas are often coupled together. (These ideas are often linked.)
Related Idioms
- In couples: In pairs; two together.
- They walked into the room in couples. (They entered the room in pairs.)
- A couple of ticks: (Informal, chiefly British) A very short time; a couple of seconds.
- Wait a couple of ticks, I'll be right with you.
Noun
- (physics) something joined by two equal and opposite forces that act along parallel lines
- two items of the same kind
- a small indefinite number
- he's coming for a couple of days
- a pair of people who live together
- a married couple from Chicago
- a pair who associate with one another
- the engaged couple
- an inseparable twosome
Verb
- engage in sexual intercourse
- Birds mate in the Spring
- form a pair or pairs
- The two old friends paired off
- link together
- can we couple these proposals?
- bring two objects, ideas, or people together
- This fact is coupled to the other one
- Matchmaker, can you match my daughter with a nice young man?
- The student was paired with a partner for collaboration on the project