rope
11 synonyms for rope, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A thick, strong cord made by twisting together fibers, strands, or wires.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A thick, strong cord made by twisting together fibers, strands, or wires.
“The children took turns swinging from a rope tied to the tree.”
How to use rope
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
learn the ropes
rope someone in
a rope ladder
jump rope
Etymology
From Old English rāp, part of a large Germanic family of words for cord or strap, related to Dutch reep and German Reif.
Full origin of rope →Frequently asked questions
What does “rope” mean?
The word “rope” means a thick, strong cord made by twisting together fibers, strands, or wires. In plain terms, a strong cord for tying, pulling, or climbing.
How do you pronounce “rope”?
“Rope” is pronounced rohp (/ɹoʊp/ in IPA).
How do you use “rope” in a sentence?
Here is “rope” used in a sentence: “They tied the boat to the dock with a heavy rope.”
What part of speech is “rope”?
Depending on how it is used, “rope” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “rope” come from?
The word “rope” comes from Old English. From Old English rāp, part of a large Germanic family of words for cord or strap, related to Dutch reep and German Reif.
Is “rope” a common word?
“Rope” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “rope” have?
“Rope” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thick, strong cord made by twisting together fibers, strands, or wires.
What is the difference between rope, cord, and string?
The difference is mainly thickness and strength. String is the thinnest, cord is thicker and stronger, and rope is the thickest of the three, made by twisting together fibers, strands, or wires for heavy tasks like climbing, towing, or mooring. If it can hold a person's weight, it is probably rope; if it wraps a parcel, it is string.
