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# a couple

phrase (noun phrase: a couple, couples; also determiner: a couple of)

«a couple» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. two people who are together in love or married.
2. two of something: a couple of apples.
3. (informal) a few, a small number, not always exactly two.

### In the lessons

Used everywhere. In gossip «they're a couple» politely says two people are going out together. In everyday talk «a couple of» often means «two or three», which matters in maths problems.

### Examples

- They've been a couple for ages.
- A young couple moved in next door.
- Can I have a couple of biscuits?
- I'll be back in a couple of minutes.
- Gossip: «Are those two a couple now?»
- The dance class was full of couples.
- Maths: «A couple of eggs» means 2 eggs.

### Note

In maths problems «a couple» means exactly 2; in chat it can mean «two or three». Grammar: «a couple of books» (with «of»); US speech often drops «of» («a couple books»). A couple (two people) can take a singular or plural verb.