couch potato

American  

noun

1. Informal. a person whose leisure time is spent watching television.

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couch potato British  

noun

1. slang a lazy person whose recreation consists chiefly of watching television and videos

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Usage

What does couch potato mean? Couch potato is a slang term for a person who spends a lot of time sitting on the couch watching TV or otherwise lazily lounging and loafing around. Couch potato is often used in a mildly negative way to criticize a person for spending too much time doing this instead of doing more productive activities. But it can also be used in a more neutral way. For example, someone might say they like to relax by spending the weekend as a couch potato. Example: You kids should go outside and play once in a while instead of spending the whole summer watching TV and being couch potatoes!

Etymology

Origin of couch potato

First recorded in 1980–85

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

couch potato

If you have more than you need in your checking account, you’re letting your cash become the financial equivalent of a couch potato.

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 27, 2026

Armstrong co-wrote “The Official Couch Potato Handbook: A Guide to Prolonged Television Viewing,” and the term couch potato entered the nation’s vocabulary.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 22, 2026

“You have permission to be a couch potato, as long as you have electricity so you can watch the tube,” Wexler said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 14, 2025

If given the option, do you think Striker, the main dog in your book, would opt for a couch potato life if the option had presented itself early?

From Salon ● Apr. 23, 2024

And be careful with tune and turn: I think I’ll tune in to my favorite TV show and turn into a couch potato.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

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