couched; couching; couches
1
: to lay (oneself) down for rest or sleep
The lion couched himself by a tree.
2
: to embroider (a design) by laying down a thread and fastening it with small stitches at regular intervals
3
: to place or hold level and pointed forward ready for use
Couching his lance, he seated himself firmly in his saddle …—
W. Somerset Maugham
W. Somerset Maugham4
: to phrase or express in a specified manner
The comments were couched in strong terms.
1
: to lie down or recline for sleep or rest
the odd way a camel couches
2
: to lie in ambush
The tiger couches in the thick grass, watching its prey move closer.
1
a
: an article of furniture for sitting or reclining
b
: a couch on which a patient reclines when undergoing psychoanalysis
2
: the den of an animal (such as an otter)
Examples of couch in a Sentence
Verb
I'm trying to couch this delicately: I don't think we should date anymore.
I couched behind the partition so as to avoid an awkward situation with my ex.
Noun
find yourself a place on the couch and make yourself at home
Recent Examples on the Web
Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Particularly dangerous is that some of this language has been couched in religious terms, which turns political conflicts into identity ones that are far more difficult to resolve.
—Darren Kew, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
The joy of getting home and slipping into cozy clothing is unmatched, but that doesn’t mean loungewear should be reserved for nights spent on the couch.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for couch
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Verb
Usually, the question was couched in politeness, but my students (bless them) had not yet learned to be subtle.
—Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Particularly dangerous is that some of this language has been couched in religious terms, which turns political conflicts into identity ones that are far more difficult to resolve.
—Darren Kew, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
He was found on his couch by fellow grandmaster Oleksandr Bortnyk, who went to check on him after losing contact, according to the Daily Mail.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025
The joy of getting home and slipping into cozy clothing is unmatched, but that doesn’t mean loungewear should be reserved for nights spent on the couch.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for couch
Cite this Entry
“Couch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/couch. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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Medical Definition
couch
1 of 2 transitive verb
: to treat (a cataract or a person who has a cataract) by displacing the lens of the eye into the vitreous body
couch
2 of 2 noun
: an article of furniture used (as by a patient undergoing psychoanalysis) for sitting or reclining
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