couple
nounTwo people who are together, usually as friends or in a relationship.
nounA small number of things or people.
verbTo connect two things together.
Syllables
2 syllables
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Hard C
C makes the /k/ sound before A, O, U, or a consonant, like in 'cat' and 'cup'.
The letter C makes the hard /k/ sound when followed by A, O, U, or a consonant. This is the default C sound. Examples: cat, cup, coat, cold, crab, class.
Tip
C says K before A, O, U — cat, cup, coat!
Examples
Phonics Rule: OU says /ʌ/
OU can say the short /ʌ/ sound, like in 'touch', 'country', and 'double'.
OU sometimes says the short-u /ʌ/ sound, especially in common words: touch, country, young, double, trouble, cousin, couple.
Tip
OU can say uh — touch, young, double!
Examples
Phonics Rule: PL Blend
P and L blend together — you hear both sounds! Like in 'play' and 'plan'.
The blend PL combines /p/ and /l/ spoken quickly together.
Examples
Phonics Rule: Schwa
In unstressed syllables, vowels often make a lazy 'uh' sound called schwa, like the A in 'about'.
Schwa /ə/ is the most common vowel sound in English. Any vowel letter can make the schwa sound when it's in an unstressed syllable. It sounds like a quick, lazy 'uh'.
Tip
Schwa is lazy — any vowel can say 'uh' when it's not stressed!
Examples
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