copper: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral for the metal; Informal (UK) for police officer.
Quick answer
What does “copper” mean?
A reddish-brown metallic chemical element (Cu), malleable and an excellent conductor of heat and electricity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A reddish-brown metallic chemical element (Cu), malleable and an excellent conductor of heat and electricity.
1. Brown coins of low value made of this metal or its alloy. 2. (British, informal) A police officer.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term for a police officer ('copper') is primarily British informal. In American English, 'copper' is almost exclusively the metal or penny, though historically used for police.
Connotations
UK: For police, can carry a neutral to slightly negative/working-class connotation. US: For police, archaic or historical (e.g., in old gangster films).
Frequency
The metal sense is equally frequent. The 'police' sense is significantly more frequent in UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “copper” in a Sentence
made of copperwrapped in copperlined with coppera vein of copperVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “copper” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They decided to copper the bottom of the old sailing dinghy for protection.
American English
- The craftsman will copper the flashings around the chimney.
adverb
British English
- This usage is extremely rare and non-standard.
American English
- This usage is extremely rare and non-standard.
adjective
British English
- She admired her new copper kettle shining on the hob.
American English
- The sunset lit the clouds with a copper glow.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the commodity traded on markets (e.g., 'Copper prices rose today').
Academic
Used in chemistry, materials science, and archaeology (e.g., 'The Copper Age').
Everyday
Refers to pipes, wiring, coins, or colour (e.g., 'She has lovely copper hair').
Technical
Specifies material properties in engineering and electronics (e.g., 'copper conductivity').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “copper”
- Using 'coppers' to mean high-value coins.
- Using 'copper' for police in formal American contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal and can be perceived as slightly disrespectful or dated, but is not generally considered a strong slur. Context matters.
Copper is a pure element. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.
Yes, though it's technical. It means to cover or coat something with copper, e.g., 'to copper the bottom of a ship'.
Historically, British pennies were made of copper. Modern 'copper' coins are usually copper-plated steel, but the name persists.
A reddish-brown metallic chemical element (Cu), malleable and an excellent conductor of heat and electricity.
Copper is usually neutral for the metal; informal (uk) for police officer. in register.
Copper: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒp.ər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑː.pɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a few coppers (small change)”
- “copper-bottomed (financially secure/guaranteed)”
- “not a copper (no money at all)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COPPER COP: a police officer with coppery buttons or hair.
Conceptual Metaphor
STABILITY/RELIABILITY (copper-bottomed), MONEY OF LOW VALUE (coppers), LAW ENFORCEMENT (the copper).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'copper' a common informal term for a police officer?