copperhead

noun

cop·​per·​head ˈkä-pər-ˌhed 

plural copperheads

1

: a common pit viper (Agkistrodon contortrix) of the eastern and central U.S. usually having a copper-colored head and often a reddish-brown hourglass pattern on the body

2

disapproving : a person in the northern states who sympathized with the South during the American Civil War

Illustration of copperhead

• copperhead 1

Examples of copperhead in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The most common snake Kansas Citians may encounter are copperheads. —Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026

North Carolina has a great many copperheads, and as a result, many copperhead bites. —Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2026

The copperhead and timber rattlesnake are largely isolated to certain regions in northern Florida. —Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 3 June 2026

Tennessee is home to 32 species of snakes, but only four of them secrete venom — the copperhead, cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake and pygmy rattlesnake. —Jack Armstrong, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 3 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for copperhead

• abovesaid
• aforesaid
• arrowhead
• casinghead
• figurehead
• fountainhead
• gingerbread
• hammerhead
• infrared
• leatherhead
• letterhead
• loggerhead

Kids Definition

copperhead

noun

cop·​per·​head ˈkäp-ər-ˌhed 

1

: a common largely coppery brown poisonous snake of the pit viper family that occurs in the eastern and central U.S.

2

: a person in the northern states who sympathized with the South during the American Civil War

Medical Definition

copperhead

noun

cop·​per·​head ˈkäp-ər-ˌhed 

1

: a pit viper (Agkistrodon contortrix) widely distributed in upland areas of the eastern and central United States that typically attains a length of three feet (0.9 meter), is coppery brown above with dark transverse blotches, and is capable of inflicting a very painful but rarely fatal bite

2

: a very venomous but sluggish Australian elapid snake (Austrelaps superbus)