couch-surf

[ kouch-surf ]

verb (used without object)

1. to stay overnight in someone’s else’s home while traveling:

   He couch-surfed at the houses of strangers and friends.

verb (used with object)

1. travel through (a place) or make (one’s way) by staying overnight in other people’s homes:

   She spent a year couch-surfing the country.

Other Words From

• couch surfer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of couch-surf¹

First recorded in 2000–05; couch + surf

Example Sentences

Despite two graduate degrees, I couldn’t find a job; I survived because a few friends allowed me to couch-surf.

From Los Angeles Times

At UC Santa Barbara, a shortfall in housing a few years ago prompted the campus to house some students in hotels, while other students have been forced to couch-surf or live in vehicles and tents.

From Los Angeles Times

The damage to her one-story brick house was extensive, forcing Ms. Gouaux to couch-surf with her three teenagers and, for a while, her oldest son.

From New York Times

Unlike many Chinese, she dropped out of school during her teenage years to couch-surf around Los Angeles, has embraced an androgynous style during her career, and even has a face tattoo.

From BBC

At 14, he left home to couch-surf with friends, falling in and out of legal trouble while failing in and out of school.

From New York Times