n.
Function: adjective
Date: 1924
: TWO also : FEW ― used with a <a couple drinks>
usage The adjective use of a couple, without of, has been called nonstandard, but it is not. In both British and American English it is standard before a word (as more or less ) indicating degree <a couple more examples of Middle English writing ― Charles Barber>. Its use before an ordinary plural noun is an Americanism, common in speech and in writing that is not meant to be formal or elevated <the first couple chapters are pretty good ― E. B. White (letter)> <still operated a couple wagons for hire ― Garrison Keillor>. It is most frequently used with periods of time <a couple weeks> and numbers <a couple hundred> <a couple dozen>.