noun

cop

kop

noun

(informal) A police officer.

"A cop pulled him over for speeding on the highway."

verb

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

"He copped a heavy fine for the parking violation."

(slang) To get hold of, obtain, or buy something.

"She copped the new sneakers the day they dropped."

How to Use Cop

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe everyday informal word for a police officer, or (as a verb) to get something or take the blame for something.

When to use it

"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.

Common pairings

cop a fine cop an attitude traffic cop

Word Forms

copped past tense, cops plural, cops plural, cops plural, cops singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

A _____ pulled him over for speeding on the highway.

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.

Rhymes for cop

robocop

See all rhymes for cop →