What is couple? Pronunciation and usage in English

couple means . Learn how to pronounce and use couple through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of couple

couplenoun

/ˈkʌpl/
Definition & pronunciation of couple

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "couple" in English. It's a tricky one for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈkʌp.ə(l)/ (This is the American English pronunciation)

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  1. "cup": Pronounce this like the word "cup" – short, quick, and with a slightly open “uh” sound. It’s almost like saying "kuhp."
  2. "ple": This is where it gets tricky. It's not pronounced like the word "plea." It’s pronounced like "uh-l" (like the ‘uh’ in “but”) . It’s a very short "uh" sound followed by an “l”. Think of it as a quick, almost swallowed "uh-l".
  3. (l): The "l" at the end is pronounced as you’d expect – an "l" sound.

Putting it all together, you get: "Kuhp-uh-l" (Imagine rushing through those syllables quickly).

Here's a tip to help:

  • Don't stress the "ple" sound. It's very brief and almost blends into the "cup" sound.

Resources for hearing the pronunciation:

  • Google Translate: Type "couple" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/couple/ - This website has pronunciations by native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce couple" on YouTube - you'll find many videos demonstrating the pronunciation.

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation for you?
  • Give you some example sentences where "couple" is used?

Usage and examples with the word couple in English

The word "couple" is surprisingly versatile in English! Here's a breakdown of how to use it, broken down into categories:

1. Referring to Two People (a romantic relationship):

  • Most Common Usage: This is the most frequent way "couple" is used. It refers to two people who are in a romantic relationship.
    • Example: "They're a happy couple."
    • Example: "A young couple got engaged."
    • Example: "The couple went on a romantic getaway."

2. Referring to Two Things (generally):

  • General Pair: “Couple” can refer to any two similar things.
    • Example: "I need a couple of batteries."
    • Example: "She wore a couple of rings."
    • Example: "Let's buy a couple of tickets."

3. Referring to Two Items of Something (countable):

  • Used with Countable Nouns: When referring to two individual pieces of something, you use "a couple." (Think of it as "a pair" - but using the word "couple").
    • Example: "I have a couple of apples."
    • Example: "He's read a couple of interesting books lately."
    • Example: “We saw a couple of dolphins today.”

4. “A couple of” (informal):

  • This is a very common, informal way to say “two” or “a few.”
    • Example: "I'm going to grab a couple of coffees."
    • Example: “I read a couple of articles on the subject.”

5. “A couple” (slightly more formal, often when referring to time):

  • Used when talking about a short period of time.
    • Example: “I’ll be there in a couple of minutes.”
    • Example: “We’ll finish the project in a couple of weeks.”

6. Figurative Usage (less common):

  • "A couple of challenges": Referring to a small number of difficulties.
    • Example: "We faced a couple of challenges during the project, but we overcame them."

Here's a quick recap table:

Usage Meaning Example
Romantic Couple Two people in a relationship "They are a beautiful couple."
General Couple Any two similar items "I need a couple of pencils."
A Couple (Countable) Two individual items "I have a couple of shoes."
A Couple of (Informal) Two or a few "Let's get a couple of pizzas."
A Couple (Time) A short period of time "It will take a couple of hours."

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking of using "couple" in? (e.g., writing a story, conversation with a friend, formal essay?)

Synonyms for the word couple

Idioms of the word couple

in two shakes | in a couple of shakes
(informal)very soon
  • We’ll be there in a couple of shakes.

Practice with vocabulary couple

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. I need a ____ of hours to finish this report before the deadline.
  2. The young ____ celebrated their anniversary with a quiet dinner.
  3. We have ____ important issues to address during the meeting.
  4. The new software will significantly improve our operational efficiency ____ reducing manual tasks.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The manager requested a ____ of volunteers for the upcoming charity event, hoping to get at least two or three participants. A) plethora B) host C) couple D) multitude

  2. The newly engaged ____ beamed with joy as they announced their wedding plans. A) individuals B) couple C) partners D) companions

  3. The security system required a ____ of keys for double authentication. A) pair B) couple C) set D) brace

  4. The project team is currently exploring various ____ to resolve the technical issues. A) solutions B) options C) alternatives D) strategies

  5. Despite the economic downturn, the company managed to maintain a ____ profit margin. A) substantial B) significant C) remarkable D) considerable

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The meeting will likely last for approximately two or three hours.
  2. The two partners who lead the design department often collaborate effectively.
  3. The manager said he would be out of the office for a short time, maybe two or three days.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. couple
  2. couple
  3. several
  4. by

Exercise 2:

  1. C) couple
  2. B) couple
  3. A) pair, B) couple (Both can be correct depending on specific nuance, but 'pair' is often used for two identical or complementary items, while 'couple' is more general for two of a kind or a small informal number.)
  4. A) solutions, B) options, C) alternatives, D) strategies (All are plausible correct answers depending on context.)
  5. A) substantial, B) significant, C) remarkable, D) considerable (All are plausible correct answers depending on context.)

Exercise 3:

  1. The meeting will likely last for a couple of hours.
  2. The couple leading the design department often collaborate effectively.
  3. The manager said he would be out of the office for a few days.

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