# copper

/ˈkɑpɝ/ (US) · /kˈɒpɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/copper
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the metal

noun · CEFR B1

a soft, reddish-brown metal that allows electricity and heat to pass through it easily.

For teachers: a ductile, malleable metallic element (symbol Cu) with high thermal and electrical conductivity.

- Most electrical wires in your home are made of copper because it is a great conductor.
- The price of copper fluctuated wildly on the global market as industrial demand for new infrastructure increased throughout the decade.

### 2. police officer

noun · CEFR B2 · British English · Informal · Slang

a slang word for a police officer.

For teachers: a colloquial term for a police officer, primarily used in British and Australian English.

- The thief ran down the alley when he saw a copper coming around the corner.
- He spent half his life dodging coppers in the East End before finally deciding to go straight and open a legitimate business.

### 3. the color

noun · CEFR B2

a reddish-brown color like the metal copper.

For teachers: a reddish-brown hue resembling the appearance of polished or weathered copper metal.

- The autumn leaves turned a beautiful shade of copper before falling to the ground.
- The interior designer recommended accents of copper and deep teal to create a warm, sophisticated atmosphere in the study.

### 4. made of or colored like copper

adjective · CEFR B1

made of copper or having a reddish-brown color.

For teachers: composed of the element copper or possessing its characteristic reddish-brown color.

- She wore a copper bracelet that she bought at the local craft market.
- The building was topped with a copper roof that had developed a distinctive green patina over decades of exposure to the elements.

### 5. to cover with copper

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

to cover something with a thin layer of copper.

For teachers: to coat, plate, or sheathe an object with a layer of copper.

- The artist decided to copper the bottom of the sculpture to protect it from water.
- The hull was coppered to prevent the growth of marine organisms and to protect the timber from wood-boring worms during long voyages.

## Examples

- The copper told the crowd to move back.
- He saw a copper standing on the corner and decided to ask for directions to the station.
- While the detective preferred a more professional tone, the local residents usually referred to him as a copper when discussing the investigation in the pub.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.