A COUPLE OF

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does a couple of mean? 

• A COUPLE OF (adjective)
  The adjective A COUPLE OF has 1 sense:

1. more than one but indefinitely small in number

  Familiarity information: A COUPLE OF used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• A COUPLE OF (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

More than one but indefinitely small in number

Synonyms:

a couple of; a few

Context example:

a couple of roses

Similar:

few (a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by 'a'; a small but indefinite number)

 Context examples 

Again the tiny point of black projected itself through the wrathful blaze a couple of points off our port-bow.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The researchers suggest a couple of possibilities to explain how this aggregation came to be.

(At Saturn, One of These Rings is not like the Others, NASA)

Jane was already so much recovered as to intend leaving her room for a couple of hours that evening.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

A couple of decades later, French astronomer Charles Messier observed this patch of sky and also documented the nebulosity present there, recording the object as Messier 16 in his influential catalogue (eso0926).

(VST Captures Three-In-One, ESO)

The Professor cleared his throat a couple of times, as though about to speak, and finally said:—May I ask you something now?

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Mission controllers expect fresh images to begin arriving on Earth within a couple of days following the encounter.

(Cassini to Make Last Close Flyby of Saturn Moon Dione, NASA)

“Slow burning inflammation that’s burning in our body can cause a number of physical and psychiatric conditions,” he explained, pointing to a couple of examples.

(Anti-inflammatory Drugs Also Fight Depression, Voanews)

The bear advanced clumsily a couple of steps, reared up, and gave vent to a tentative growl.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

At my suggestion a couple of the county police were summoned to be present, and I then endeavoured to raise the stone by pulling on the cravat.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Within a couple of minutes, the liquid revived the bacteria, which produced enough electrons to power a light-emitting diode and a calculator.

(New Type of Battery Created from Paper, Fueled by Bacteria, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)