noun

copper

KO-puh

noun

A reddish-brown metal, chemical symbol Cu, widely used in wiring and pipes for its conductivity.

"The old house still has copper plumbing."

"Copper prices rose sharply this year."

A reddish-brown colour, like that of the metal.

"She dyed her hair a deep copper."

A low-denomination coin, or coins collectively, historically made of copper.

"He emptied a jar of coppers onto the counter."

A police officer (informal, chiefly British).

"A copper pulled him over for speeding."

adj

Made of copper, or having its reddish-brown colour.

"The kitchen had copper pots hanging above the stove."

How to Use Copper

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe reddish metal, its colour, small-value coins, or (informally, especially in the UK) a police officer.

When to use it

"Copper" for a police officer is informal British slang, roughly equivalent to "cop."

Common pairings

copper wire copper pipe copper coin a copper (police)

Word Forms

more copper comparative, coppered past tense, coppered past tense, coppers plural, coppers plural, coppers plural, Coppers plural, coppers singular, coppers singular, most copper superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

The old house still has _____ plumbing.

Etymology

From Old English coper, from Late Latin cuprum, itself shortened from Latin aes Cyprium ("metal of Cyprus"), an island long famous for copper mining.

Rhymes for copper

popper hopper Topper chopper whopper stopper shopper grasshopper showstopper

See all rhymes for copper →