cope

1 of 4

verb (1)

ˈkōp 

coped; coping

intransitive verb

1

a

: to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties

—often used with with

learning to cope with the demands of her schedule

b

: to maintain a contest or combat usually on even terms or with success

—used with with

2

archaic : meet, encounter

3

obsolete : strike, fight

transitive verb

1

obsolete : to meet in combat

2

obsolete : to come in contact with

3

obsolete : match

cope

2 of 4

noun

1

: a long enveloping ecclesiastical vestment

The priest wore a cope for the benediction.

2

a

: something resembling a cope (as by concealing or covering)

… the dark sky's starry cope …

—P. B. Shelley

b

: coping

cope

3 of 4

verb (2)

coped; coping

transitive verb

: to cover or furnish with a cope

cope

4 of 4

verb (3)

coped; coping

transitive verb

1

: to shape (a structural member) to fit a coping or conform to the shape of another member

2

: notch

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• do
• fare
• get along
• get by
• get on
• make out
• manage
• shift

Noun

• blanket
• cloak
• cover
• cover-up
• covering
• coverture
• curtain
• hood
• mantle
• mask
• pall
• penumbra
• robe
• shroud
• veil
• wraps

Examples of cope in a Sentence

Verb (1)

a young man learning to cope on his own at college

Noun

committed their nefarious deeds under the dark cope of night

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The character is both active and responsive, required to take the initiative, cope with frustrations, compromise himself morally and essentially repress the more vulnerable sides of himself, but Bakri finds a way to convey a rounded sense of the young man’s softer side as well. —Catherine Bray, Variety, 22 May 2024

This year is no exception as Gov. Gavin Newsom faces stiff opposition from the education establishment for a new fiscal maneuver to cope with a massive budget deficit. —Dan Walters, Orange County Register, 21 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English copen, coupen, from Anglo-French couper to strike, cut, from cop, colp blow, from Late Latin colpus, alteration of Latin colaphus, from Greek kolaphos buffet

Noun and Verb (2)

Middle English, from Old English -cāp, from Late Latin cappa head covering

Verb (3)

probably from French couper to cut

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 3

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (3)

circa 1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

cope

1 of 2 noun

ˈkōp 

: a long vestment that is worn like a cape by a priest or bishop

cope

2 of 2 verb

coped; coping

: to struggle or try to manage especially with some success

cope with a situation

Etymology

Noun

Old English -cap "long vestment, cope," from Latin cappa "head covering" — related to cape entry 2

Verb

from earlier cope "to strike, fight, engage in a struggle," from Middle English copen "to strike, fight," from early French couper "to strike, cut," from earlier cop "a blow" — related to coup, coupon

Medical Definition

cope

1 of 2 intransitive verb

ˈkōp 

coped; coping

: to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties

—usually used with with

helping children cope with grief

COPE

2 of 2 abbreviation

chronic obstructive pulmonary emphysema