noun
Common
cooper
KOO-puh
Cooper (noun) means a craftsman who makes or repairs wooden barrels, casks, and similar containers. Example: “The cooper bent each wooden stave carefully before fixing the iron hoops in place.”
noun
1
A craftsman who makes or repairs wooden barrels, casks, and similar containers.
"The cooper bent each wooden stave carefully before fixing the iron hoops in place."
"A skilled cooper can build a watertight barrel without using any glue or nails."
"The old cooper still made oak barrels for the local winery."
verb
1
To make or repair barrels and casks.
"He coopered wine casks for the brewery until the new steel tanks arrived."
"In the museum, a craftsman demonstrates how to cooper a small oak barrel."
"He learned to cooper as an apprentice in his uncle's workshop."
How to use cooper
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone whose trade is building or repairing wooden barrels.
Common pairings
a master cooper
cooper's trade
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Word forms
- Plural
- coopers
- Third person singular
- coopers
- Past tense
- coopered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ bent each wooden stave carefully before fixing the iron hoops in place.
Etymology
Built from coop (an earlier word for a cask) plus the agent suffix -er — literally "one who makes casks."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for cooper
See all rhymes for cooper →Frequently asked questions
What does “cooper” mean?
The word “cooper” means a craftsman who makes or repairs wooden barrels, casks, and similar containers. In plain terms, someone whose trade is building or repairing wooden barrels.
How do you pronounce “cooper”?
“Cooper” is pronounced KOO-puh (/ˈkʊpɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “cooper” in a sentence?
Here is “cooper” used in a sentence: “The old cooper still made oak barrels for the local winery.”
What part of speech is “cooper”?
Depending on how it is used, “cooper” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “cooper” a common word?
“Cooper” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cooper” have?
“Cooper” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a craftsman who makes or repairs wooden barrels, casks, and similar containers.
What is the difference between a 'cooper' and a 'carpenter'?
A 'cooper' is a craftsman who specialises in making or repairing wooden barrels, casks, and similar round containers. A 'carpenter' works with wood more broadly, building things like furniture, frames, and structures. The cooper's trade is narrower and centres on watertight staved vessels.
What items does a cooper traditionally make?
A cooper traditionally makes and repairs wooden barrels, casks, buckets, tubs, and vats, shaping curved staves and binding them with hoops. These containers were historically used to store liquids and goods such as wine, beer, and provisions.
Is the surname Cooper related to the job of a cooper?
Yes. The common surname Cooper began as an occupational name, identifying someone whose trade was making barrels and casks. Many English surnames arose this way from a person's craft or work.
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