Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small piece of paper that gives the holder a right to something: A coupon is a detachable ticket or certificate that entitles the holder to a discount, a gift, or a specified service when purchasing a product or service.
   • A detachable certificate representing a financial obligation or right: In finance, a coupon is a detachable part of a bond that represents a periodic interest payment to the bondholder.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • I used a 20% off coupon at the grocery store. (I presented a small paper to receive a price reduction on my purchase.)
  • The magazine included a coupon for a free sample of perfume. (The magazine had a detachable certificate to obtain a product at no cost.)
  • The bond's annual coupon rate is 5%. (The bond pays interest at a rate of 5% per year, represented by its coupons.)

Advanced Usage

• "To clip a coupon": To cut out a coupon, typically from a newspaper or magazine, in order to use it.
  • My grandmother always clips coupons from the Sunday paper to save money.
• "Coupon bond": A type of bond that pays periodic interest via physical coupons that are presented for payment.
  • In the past, investors had to physically detach and mail coupon bonds to receive their interest.

Variants and Related Words

• Couponing (n): The activity of collecting and using coupons to save money on purchases.
  • Extreme couponing can lead to significant savings on household goods.
• Couponer (n): A person who regularly uses coupons.
  • She is an avid couponer and rarely pays full price for anything.

Synonyms

• Voucher: A document that serves as evidence of a transaction or entitlement to a service or discount.
• Token: A voucher that can be exchanged for goods or services.
• Certificate: An official document attesting to a fact, such as ownership or a right to payment.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: "Coupon" is primarily a noun and does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

• "Coupon clipper": A person, often stereotyped as retired, who lives off the fixed interest payments from bonds.
  • After he retired, he lived like a coupon clipper, relying on his bond investments for income.

Noun

1. a test sample of some substance
2. a negotiable certificate that can be detached and redeemed as needed