couch

A long, comfortable seat with a back, usually for two or more people.

• The cat is on the couch.
• We bought a new leather couch.
• He fell asleep on the couch while watching television.

Similar words: sofa, settee

Common phrases: on the couch, leather couch, comfortable couch, couch cushions

Treatment in which you talk to a professional about your feelings and personal problems.

• He spent years on the couch.
• She explored childhood fears on the couch.
• Time on the couch helped him understand his anger.

How to use it: on the couch (He discussed his childhood on the couch.)

Similar words: psychotherapy, therapy, psychoanalysis

Common phrases: on the couch, years on the couch

To express something using a particular kind of language.

• Please couch your reply in polite language.
• She couched her criticism as a question.
• The warning was couched in very careful terms.

How to use it: couch something in something (He couched his refusal in friendly terms.); couch something as something (She couched the suggestion as a request.)

Similar words: phrase, word, express

Common phrases: couch something in, couch as something