sofa

American  

[soh-fuh] / ˈsoʊ fə /

noun

1. a long, upholstered couch with a back and two arms or raised ends.

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sofa British  

/ ˈsəʊfə /

noun

1. an upholstered seat with back and arms for two or more people

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Etymology

Origin of sofa

1615–25; < Turkish < Arabic ṣuffah platform used as a seat

Explanation

A sofa is a piece of furniture that a few people can comfortably sit on together. On a rainy weekend, you and your friends might pile on the sofa to watch scary movies and eat popcorn. A sofa is similar to a couch — officially, it needs to seat at least three or more people to qualify as a sofa. If only two people can fit, it's a love seat. And if it's only big enough for you and your pet hedgehog, it's an armchair. Sofas are typically upholstered, with a high back and arms. The word originated from Turkish, from an Arabic root, suffa, "bench of stone or wood."

Example Sentences

The couple had propaganda posters from the German Democratic Republic above their sofa, perhaps because his now wife, who had been to East Germany, considered it a workers’ mecca.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Once he settles on the sofa beside me, McKellen vacillates between performative storytelling and genuine reflection.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

"I might just stay now that I'm on the sofa," she joked.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

At its worst, it left him unable to get up off the sofa, or to shower - but he is now looking at slowly getting back to life with his young family.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Camille jumps off the sofa bed and starts pawing through her pile of clothes.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

Related Words

• love seat
• settee