couples - Master This Word
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couples Word Meanings
- a pair of people in a romantic relationship
- two items regarded together
- to form a couple; to join.
couples Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
couples Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈkʌp.əl/
US
/ˈkʌp.əl/
couples Word Etymology
couple: from 'coupler' (to join) + 'couple' (a pair); Middle English from Old French 'coupier'; a vivid image is two hearts intertwined as one, representing unity in love.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I move two cups toward each other, then press them gently. They meet and settle, the space between them shrinking as if they notice one another. Holding the edge steady, I feel a light push and a small turn toward balance. Later, when two people share plans and days, moving through moments side by side, you sense a quiet ease that people call a couple.
Real Context
Couple is a versatile word. As a noun, it refers to two people who are in a romantic relationship, or to two items that belong together as a unit. In everyday English you can say 'a couple' or 'a couple of shoes' to describe a pair. As a verb, to couple means to join or connect two things, often implying they work better when linked. 'To couple ideas' or 'to couple trains' appears in more formal or technical contexts. The plural 'couples' describes more than one such pair, and 'a couple of' roughly means two or a small number. The word conveys unity, pairing, and mutual compatibility.
Usage Reminders
- - A couple of means about two, not a precise number.
- - Use 'a couple' for people or objects in pairs.
- - To couple is to join or connect elements.
- - 'Couples' marks more than one pair or romantic pair.
- - In formal writing, avoid over-reading 'a couple of' as 'some' without context.
Common Misconceptions
- A couple always means exactly two people (not always true; it can be two items).
- A couple of always means a small number of items (context matters).
- To couple only refers to romantic relationships (it also means to join items).
- Couples is the same as couples together (plural misread; refers to multiple pairs).
- Using 'a couple' to mean 'some' is always fine in formal writing (better to be precise).
Thinking Differences
In English, couple conveys both romantic partnership and a pairing of items, plus a verb sense of joining. Learners often default to a single meaning, misplacing the phrase a couple of as either exactly two or as 'some'. Think in terms of relation vs. quantity and watch for context when choosing synonyms like pair, duo, or couple.
Learning Tips
- Practice listing people and objects in pairs.
- Compare 'a couple' vs 'two' in different contexts.
- Use 'to couple' when talking about connecting ideas or parts.
- Remember plural 'couples' for more than one pair or romance.
- Distinguish 'a couple of' (approximate) from 'two'.
- Watch collocations: couple of days, couple of options, etc.
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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