sofa
sofa
Pronunciation
sofa: /ˈsoʊfə/
So: /soʊ/ - /s/ (voiceless alveolar sibilant), /oʊ/ (close-mid back rounded vowel)
fa: /fə/ - /f/ (voiceless labiodental fricative), /ə/ (schwa)
Word Form Variations
Singular: sofa
Plural: sofas
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: An upholstered piece of furniture, typically designed for more than one person to sit on, characterized by a long back and often two armrests, commonly found in living rooms or lounges.
Synonyms: couch, settee, divan, chesterfield (North American)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a piece of furniture; can consider smaller seating options as contrasting) chair, stool, ottoman
Definition 2: (Figurative, informal) A place of comfort or relaxation, often referring to one's home or a familiar, comfortable setting.
Synonyms: sanctuary, haven, retreat, comfort zone
Antonyms: battlefield, chaos, disarray, discomfort
Examples of Use
Books: "She sank into the plush velvet sofa, a novel open on her lap, and let the quiet of the afternoon wash over her." (From a contemporary romance novel, exact title not recallable, but common usage in fiction).
Newspapers: "The new furniture store features a wide selection of leather sofas designed for both comfort and durability, aiming to attract urban dwellers." (Local newspaper advertisement, July 2024).
Online Publications: "How to clean your fabric sofa: A step-by-step guide to removing common stains and maintaining its appearance." (Good Housekeeping).
Entertainment Mediums (Film/TV): In countless sitcoms, characters often gather or have significant conversations on a living room sofa. For example, the iconic orange sofa in Central Perk from the TV show Friends.
Entertainment Platforms (Social Media): A user on Instagram might post a photo with the caption, "Finally got my dream sofa! So excited to binge-watch my favorite shows here." (Instagram post).
General Public Discourse: "We spent all weekend just lounging on the sofa, watching movies and ordering takeout." (Common conversational phrase).
10 Quotes Using Sofa
"What on earth could be more luxurious than a sofa, a book, and a cup of coffee? Was ever anything so civil?" - Anthony Trollope
"Chairs are architecture, sofas are bourgeois." - Le Corbusier
"The hardest distance is always from the sofa to the front door." - Erki Nool
"I can feel infinitely alive curled up on the sofa reading a book." - Benedict Cumberbatch
"Necessity invented stools, Convenience next suggested elbow-chairs, And luxury the accomplish'd Sofa last." - William Cowper
"I've owned more sofas than I've had husbands. Both sag in the end, but I generally fall out of love with the furniture quicker than the men." - Janet Street-Porter
"The sofa is the enemy of productivity." - Demetri Martin (Twitter post, December 2012)
"I want a sofa, as I want a friend, upon which I can repose familiarly." - William Makepeace Thackeray
"Only picture to yourself a nice soft wife on a sofa with good fire, & books & music." - Charles Darwin
"Too many people live too much in the past. The past must be a springboard, not a sofa." - Harold MacMillan
Etymology
The word "sofa" has a journey that traces back to ancient times and different languages. It ultimately comes from the Arabic word "ṣuffah."
In its earliest known meaning, a "ṣuffah" wasn't quite the comfy, upholstered piece of furniture we know today. Instead, it referred to a raised part of the floor, usually about a foot or two high, which was covered with rich carpets and soft cushions. This elevated area was used for sitting or reclining, especially by important people or in formal settings in the Middle East. Think of it more like a cushioned platform or a bench against a wall.
The word then traveled through Turkish and French before making its way into English. The first recorded use of "sofa" in English was around 1625 by Samuel Purchas, who used it to describe such an elaborate, cushioned platform he encountered during his travels in Arabia. Over time, the meaning shifted from a raised part of the floor to the long, soft, upholstered seating furniture we recognize as a "sofa" today, with the more modern sense becoming common around 1717.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Sofa
Sofa potato: Someone who spends a lot of time sitting on the sofa, usually watching TV or being inactive.
From the sofa to the finish line: Referring to a journey from inactivity or comfort to achieving a goal, implying a significant effort.
Sofa surfing: Staying temporarily at various friends' or relatives' homes, sleeping on their sofas or spare beds.
Armchair general/critic/traveler: (Using a synonym, "armchair," to imply a similar sedentary position) Someone who offers opinions or experiences from a distance without direct involvement.
Hit the couch: To sit down and relax, often after a long day.
Couch commander: (Similar to armchair general) Someone who directs others from a comfortable, uninvolved position.
Reclining on the divan of idleness: (More literary, using a synonym "divan") Emphasizing a state of relaxed inactivity or laziness.
Sofa science: (Original/lesser-known) Informal or speculative reasoning done from a comfortable, unscientific setting, without rigorous testing.
The sofa beckons: Implying a strong desire to sit down and relax.
Couch cushion cash: Small amounts of money found in between the cushions of a sofa or couch.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of sofa from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
