cop

17 synonyms for cop, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — (informal) A police officer.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

officer copper bull arrest hook

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

constable bobby pig collar nail

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

police officer fuzz apprehend thieve nab glom snitch

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

(informal) A police officer.

“A cop pulled him over for speeding on the highway.”

police officer officer constable copper bobby pig bull fuzz

2. verb

(informal) To be given, or to accept, something unpleasant such as blame or punishment.

“He copped a heavy fine for the parking violation.”

arrest apprehend thieve collar nab glom hook nail snitch

How to use cop

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

cop a fine cop an attitude traffic cop

"Cop" for police officer is very common and mostly neutral in casual speech, but avoid it in formal or official writing — use "police officer" instead.

Etymology

Origin uncertain — possibly from an Old English word meaning "to seize" or from a Dutch verb meaning "to capture," picked up through contact between English and Dutch speakers.

Full origin of cop →

Frequently asked questions

What does “cop” mean?

The word “cop” means (informal) A police officer. In plain terms, the everyday informal word for a police officer, or (as a verb) to get something or take the blame for something.

How do you pronounce “cop”?

“Cop” is pronounced kop (/kɑp/ in IPA).

How do you use “cop” in a sentence?

Here is “cop” used in a sentence: “A cop pulled him over for speeding on the highway.”

What part of speech is “cop”?

Depending on how it is used, “cop” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “cop” come from?

The word “cop” comes from Old English. Origin uncertain — possibly from an Old English word meaning "to seize" or from a Dutch verb meaning "to capture," picked up through contact between English and Dutch speakers.

Is “cop” a common word?

“Cop” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

How many meanings does “cop” have?

“Cop” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: (informal) A police officer.

Is cop a rude word for a police officer?

Cop is informal but not usually considered offensive in everyday speech, and many police officers use it themselves. It is best avoided in formal writing, where 'police officer' is the standard neutral term.

Does cop stand for 'constable on patrol'?

No. The idea that cop is an acronym for 'constable on patrol' is a popular myth. Dictionaries generally trace the noun to the verb cop, meaning to catch or seize — a cop is literally someone who catches criminals.

What is the difference between cop and copper?

Both are informal words for a police officer. Copper is the older, chiefly British form, and cop is the common short form used widely in American and British English alike.

People also searched

officer arrest bull copper hook bobby nail pig collar constable snitch apprehend

Nearby words

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