cope
KOHP
Cope (verb) means to deal successfully with a difficult situation. Example: “I don't know how parents cope with so little sleep.”
verb
1
To deal successfully with a difficult situation.
"I don't know how parents cope with so little sleep."
"She copes well with stress at work."
"He struggled to cope after losing his job."
noun
1
(slang) A coping mechanism, comforting belief, or self-delusion someone relies on to get through a hard situation.
"Telling yourself the delay doesn't matter is just cope, and everyone can see it."
"That excuse is pure cope, and deep down you know it."
"His confidence that things will improve is really just cope."
How to use cope
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo manage or handle a tough situation without falling apart.
Common pairings
cope with stress
cope with loss
struggle to cope
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Word forms
- Plural
- copes
- Third person singular
- copes
- Past tense
- coped
- Archaic forms
- copest, copedst, copeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I don't know how parents _____ with so little sleep.
Etymology
Ultimately from Old French coper/couper ("to strike, cut"), related to the idea of "trading blows" — the sense shifted over time from fighting to dealing with a problem generally.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for cope
See all rhymes for cope →Frequently asked questions
What does “cope” mean?
The word “cope” means to deal successfully with a difficult situation. In plain terms, to manage or handle a tough situation without falling apart.
How do you pronounce “cope”?
“Cope” is pronounced KOHP (/ˈkoʊp/ in IPA).
How do you use “cope” in a sentence?
Here is “cope” used in a sentence: “She copes well with stress at work.”
What part of speech is “cope”?
Depending on how it is used, “cope” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “cope” come from?
The word “cope” comes from Old French. Ultimately from Old French coper/couper ("to strike, cut"), related to the idea of "trading blows" — the sense shifted over time from fighting to dealing with a problem generally.
Is “cope” a common word?
“Cope” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “cope” have?
“Cope” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to deal successfully with a difficult situation.
Is it "cope with" or "cope up with"?
The standard phrase is cope with, as in "she coped with the pressure." "Cope up with" is a common error and is not standard English.
What is the difference between cope and manage?
Both involve dealing with difficulty, but cope emphasizes handling stress or adversity successfully, while manage is broader and can simply mean to run or accomplish something. "He managed the project" is about running it; "he coped with the project" implies it was a strain.
Why do people online dismiss an argument as "cope"?
In slang, cope is a noun for a coping mechanism, comforting belief, or self-delusion that someone relies on to get through a hard situation. Calling a statement "cope" dismisses it as wishful thinking — an excuse the speaker tells themselves rather than a real argument.
Can cope stand alone without an object?
Yes. Cope is often used on its own, as in "I can't cope," meaning the person cannot deal with the situation. When the difficulty is named, it is introduced with with, as in "coping with grief."
