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.

See Examples For:

sofa sofas

"We're always strong, we pool our strength and one defends the other," María Luísa explains as she sits on a sofa next to her sister.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

My guilt remains, like pain in a phantom limb, but the sofa holds us all.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026

Tempting as sprawling on the sofa might be, a bit of exercise will make you feel less tired in the long run.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026

A blackened mattress, a twisted bicycle, a crushed sofa and toys protrude between two stacked concrete slabs.

From Barron's ● Jul. 4, 2026

When everything comes into focus, I realize I’m lying on the small red sofa in the back office of Aunt J’s hair salon.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

Although the company never spells it out explicitly, Birkin collectors say that shoppers who buy $100,000 sofas and $20,000 watches get offered the bags first.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

Television characters sitting around having conversations on sofas has served prolific producer Chuck Lorre very well.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

"Wall cabinets, sofas, coffee tables, dining tables, and chairs vanished in an instant. It was as if the entire building had been hollowed out," Wang told the Xiaoxiang Morning Herald.

From Barron's ● Jul. 7, 2026

Fans powered through a 02:00 BST kick-off gathering in packed pubs, while others celebrated quietly from their sofas, and a few woke up devastated to realise they slept through the game.

From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026

Kids wait to get new schedules, and a few parents who’ve signed up for tour appointments are chatting on the sofas while they wait.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina

sofa

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

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