cops
6 synonyms for cops, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Plural of cop: police officers.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
police officers
officers
law enforcement
the police
patrol officers
How to use cops
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
call the cops
cops and robbers
undercover cops
Informal — fine in casual speech, but "police" or "officers" is more appropriate in formal writing.
Etymology
Plural form of cop, an informal word for a police officer.
Full origin of cops →Frequently asked questions
What does “cops” mean?
The word “cops” means plural of cop: police officers. In plain terms, informal word for police officers.
How do you pronounce “cops”?
“Cops” is pronounced kops (/kɑps/ in IPA).
How do you use “cops” in a sentence?
Here is “cops” used in a sentence: “The cops arrived within minutes of the alarm going off.”
What part of speech is “cops”?
“Cops” is a noun.
Is “cops” a common word?
“Cops” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Is "cops" formal or informal?
It's informal. In everyday speech, news headlines, and fiction it's common and neutral, but in official or respectful writing the preferred terms are "police officers" or "the police." Think of "cops" as the casual, conversational version rather than the wording you'd use in a formal report.
What is the difference between "cops" and "police"?
"Cops" is an informal word for individual officers, so you might say "two cops." "Police" is the standard term for the force as a whole or its members collectively, as in "the police are investigating." One is casual and countable; the other is the general, official word.
Is calling someone a cop offensive?
Generally no. "Cop" is casual rather than insulting, unlike genuinely derogatory slang such as "pig." It's widely used and understood without offense. Even so, in formal, official, or especially respectful settings, "police officer" is the safer and more courteous choice.
