sofa

Everyday

A sofa is a long, soft seat with a back and arms, for two or more people. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday home life, families sit on the sofa to read, watch TV or chat. Other words for it: couch (common in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand), settee (British). In safety, don't jump on the sofa near windows or hard edges; small objects like coins and batteries can fall down the sides, and button batteries are dangerous for little children. Phrases: on the sofa, sofa bed, sit on the sofa, hide behind the sofa (be scared watching TV).

Examples

• We curled up on the sofa to watch a film. tree →
• The cat is asleep on the sofa. tree →
• Grandma's sofa has flowery cushions. tree →
• Our sofa folds out into a sofa bed. tree →
• I found a coin down the side of the sofa. tree →
• Please don't jump on the sofa. tree →
• The beautiful Persian, inconsolable at his departure, sank on a sofa bathed in tears. tree →

Note

Plural sofas. You sit "on" the sofa, not "in" it (though "in an armchair" is used). Sofa, couch and settee mean nearly the same.