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noun A1 Beginner Common

cop

kop
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Cop (noun) means (informal) A police officer. Example: “A cop pulled him over for speeding on the highway.”

noun
1
(informal) A police officer.
"A cop pulled him over for speeding on the highway."
"The cop waved the traffic through while the road was being repaired."
"If you see someone breaking in, call the cops straight away."
verb
1
(informal) To be given, or to accept, something unpleasant such as blame or punishment.
"He copped a heavy fine for the parking violation."
"Somebody has to cop the blame when the project goes wrong."
"I copped a detention for talking in class again."
2
(slang) To get hold of, obtain, or buy something.
"She copped the new sneakers the day they dropped."
"Where did you cop that jacket? I want one too."
"He queued all night to cop tickets before they sold out."

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
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Word forms

Plural
cops
Third person singular
cops
Past tense
copped
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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.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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police officer officer constable copper bobby pig bull fuzz arrest apprehend thieve collar

Related words

get stop shit understand stay check officer catch

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.

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