sofa

[soh-fuh] / ˈsoʊ fə /

NOUN

couch

Synonyms

STRONGEST

love seat settee

STRONG

chesterfield davenport daybed divan futon ottoman

WEAK

chaise longue convertible couch sofa bed window seat

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for a sofa?

Sofa is famously interchangeable with the word couch. More on that in the next section. A love seat is a kind of small sofa or large chair that seats about two people. A similar piece of furniture is sometimes called a chair-and-a-half. Less commonly, a small sofa can be called a two-seater or, more fancily, a tête-à-tête or a vis-à-vis. These last two terms are especially used to refer to S-shaped sofas that allow two people to sit facing each other. An upholstered seat for two or more people can be called a settee. The word chesterfield can specifically refer to a large, overstuffed sofa with a tall back and arms. In Canada, it’s simply used to refer to a large sofa. A divan is a sofa that doesn’t have an arm or back. A type of sofa without arms (and sometimes without a back) that’s specifically for reclining can be called a chaise, chaise lounge, or simply lounge. A davenport is another kind of large sofa, especially one that can be converted into a bed. Other terms for sofas that can convert into beds are sofa bed, pull-out sofa, convertible sofa, convertible couch, and sleeper sofa. A daybed is one that can be used as a sofa or a bed at different times. A futon has the same function, but it’s basically a big mattress that folds in half to be a couch.

What is the difference between a sofa and a couch?

Couch comes from the Old French word couche, meaning “bed.” Sofa comes from the Arabic word suffah, meaning “a platform used as a seat.” But the differences in origin don’t affect how they’re used today. People have different preferences about which word they use, and some people use both, but they mean the same thing. A piece of upholstered furniture that seats two or more people, often with a back and at least one arm. Calling a piece of furniture a sofa or a couch implies that it’s upholstered and at least somewhat cushiony. A similar piece of furniture that’s not upholstered (one that’s just wooden, for example) would just be called a bench.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Winkleman's chat show will "welcome the biggest names from the worlds of film, television, music and beyond to her sofa for lively conversation with the help of a studio audience", the BBC said.

From BBC

After his grandmother died when he was 17, he became homeless for the first time and would sleep on friends' sofas.

From BBC

Whenever I fantasise about a couple of hours of uninterrupted relaxation during the chilly winter months, my mind immediately conjures up images of curling up on the sofa with a deliciously good book.

From BBC

Burroughs even installed a subwoofer speaker beneath the sofa to give the garage the feel of a movie theater during family movie nights.

From Los Angeles Times

"I literally cannot wait to get home on a night and turn all my Christmas lights on and lie on the sofa," she says.

From BBC

sofa

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Example Sentences

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