coup d'etat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, journalistic, academic, historical
Quick answer
What does “coup d'etat” mean?
A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.
Any sudden, decisive action or accomplishment in a particular field, especially one that displaces the established order (e.g., a corporate coup, a fashion coup).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or spelling. Both retain the French spelling with the acute accent and apostrophe.
Connotations
Identical. Associated with political instability, military intervention, and historical power struggles.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British media due to historical ties to European politics, but very common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “coup d'etat” in a Sentence
VERB + coup d'état: stage, attempt, launch, plan, carry out, foilADJECTIVE + coup d'état: bloody, military, failed, successful, violentPREP + coup d'état: in a coup d'état, after the coup d'étatVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coup d'etat” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The generals plotted to coup the government.
American English
- The colonel was accused of attempting to coup the president.
adjective
British English
- The coup d'état leader assumed control of the broadcast channels.
American English
- The coup d'état attempt was over by dawn.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorically, a 'boardroom coup d'état' refers to a sudden overthrow of a company's leadership.
Academic
Used in political science, history, and international relations to analyse regime change.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Used when discussing major, shocking news events.
Technical
A specific term in political and military studies denoting an illegal change of government.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coup d'etat”
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “coup d'etat”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coup d'etat”
- Misspelling: 'coup de tat', 'coup detat'. Correct: coup d'état.
- Mispronouncing the final 't' in 'état' (it is silent).
- Using it for any political protest or gradual change.
- Incorrect plural: 'coup d'états'. Correct: 'coups d'état'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A coup d'état is typically executed by a small elite group (like the military) to replace leadership, often with little ideological change. A revolution involves mass participation and aims for fundamental social, political, and economic transformation.
It is pronounced 'koo day-TAH'. The final 't' in 'état' is silent, and the 's' in the plural 'coups' is also silent: 'koo day-TAH'.
In political contexts, yes, 'coup' is a common shortening. However, 'coup' alone can also mean a notable success or clever move (e.g., 'a marketing coup'), which 'coup d'état' cannot.
The correct plural is 'coups d'état'. Both 'coup' and 'état' are made plural in French, but in English, the 's' is typically only added to 'coup'.
A sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.
Coup d'etat is usually formal, journalistic, academic, historical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A palace coup (a coup from within a ruling group)”
- “A bloodless coup (a coup achieved without violence)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a group suddenly shouting 'COUP!' and DETAtching the head of state from power.
Conceptual Metaphor
POLITICAL CHANGE IS A SUDDEN PHYSICAL BLOW / THE STATE IS A BODY (to which violence is done).
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining characteristic of a coup d'état?