rope
rohp
Rope (noun) means a thick, strong cord made by twisting together fibers, strands, or wires. Example: “The children took turns swinging from a rope tied to the tree.”
noun
1
A thick, strong cord made by twisting together fibers, strands, or wires.
"The children took turns swinging from a rope tied to the tree."
"They tied the boat to the dock with a heavy rope."
"He climbed the cliff face using a rope and harness."
verb
1
To tie, secure, or catch something with a rope.
"We roped the canoe to the roof rack before setting off."
"The cowboy roped the calf in seconds."
"Make sure the luggage is roped down before we drive off."
How to use rope
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA strong cord for tying, pulling, or climbing.
Common mistake
"Learn the ropes" (to learn how something works) is an idiom drawn from sailing, not a literal instruction.
Common pairings
learn the ropes
rope someone in
a rope ladder
jump rope
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Word forms
- Plural
- ropes
- Third person singular
- ropes
- Past tense
- roped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The children took turns swinging from a _____ tied to the tree.
Etymology
From Old English rāp, part of a large Germanic family of words for cord or strap, related to Dutch reep and German Reif.
Related words
Rhymes for rope
See all rhymes for 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.
