couple

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 [sing.+sing./pl.v.] ~ (of sth) two people or things: I saw a couple of men get out. HELPNOTE In BrE a plural verb is usually used in all 3 senses. 2 [sing.+sing./pl.v.] ~ (of sth) a small number of people or things SYNAFEW: a couple of minutes * We went there a couple of years ago. * I've seen her a couple of times before. * I'll be with you in a minute. There are a couple of things I have to do first. * There are a couple more files to read first. * We can do it in the next couple of weeks. * The last couple of years have been difficult. 3 [C+sing./pl.v.] two people who are seen together, especially if they are married or in a romantic or sexual relationship: married couples * a young / an elderly couple * Several couples were on the dance floor. * The couple was / were married in 1976. IDIOMS see SHAKEn. a couple pronoun: Do you need any more glasses? I've got a couple I can lend you. couple determiner (AmE): It's only a couple blocks away. verb 1 [VN] [usuallypassive] ~ A (to B)