rope

1 of 2

noun

ˈrōp 

1

a

: a large stout cord of strands of fibers or wire twisted or braided together

b

: a long slender strip of material used as rope

rawhide rope

c

: a hangman's noose

d

: lariat

2

: a row or string consisting of things united by or as if by braiding, twining, or threading

a rope of pearls

3

the ropes : special or basic techniques or procedures

A veteran cop volunteered to show the rookie the ropes.

4

the ropes : a fence made of rope that encloses a boxing or wrestling ring

The boxer was pushed back against the ropes.

5

: line drive

ropelike

ˈrōp-ˌlīk 

adjective

see also:

on the ropes the end of one's rope

rope

2 of 2

verb

roped; roping

transitive verb

1

a

: to bind, fasten, or tie with a rope or cord

b

: to partition, separate, or divide by a rope

rope off the street

c

: lasso

2

: to draw as if with a rope : lure

intransitive verb

: to take the form of or twist in the manner of rope

roper noun

Synonyms of rope

Noun

• wire
• cable
• cord

Examples of rope in a Sentence

Noun

Tie the end of the rope to the post.

She made a knot in the rope.

a six-foot length of rope

We used rope to tie down the furniture in the trailer.

The hostages were tied up with rope.

The veteran cop showed the rookie the ropes.

It will take a few weeks for new employees to learn the ropes.

someone who knows the ropes

Verb

The dog was roped to the fence.

The boats were roped together at the dock.

Mountain climbers often rope themselves together for safety.

He tried to rope the calf.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Visitors enter the pavilion beneath a giant bell into which a naked woman climbs via a rope before flipping upside down and turning herself into a living, swinging clapper. —Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 16 May 2026

The ropes keeping the paps and lookie-loos out — and the celebrities and scene-makers in — go up days before the event actually starts, with just enough distance between the two groups to keep it interesting. —Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026

Verb

These are all scenarios that appear in a new painting by Ikezoe that features an array of naked figures (and some skeletons) who are roped into a dairy-centric system that happens to involve a pit of fire and a large mural. —Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 11 May 2026

Dubón roped a grounder down the left-field line for a bases-clearing double. —Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English rāp; akin to Old High German reif hoop

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing rope

• battle rope
• battling rope
• jump rope
• money for old rope
• rope ladder
• rope off
• rope tow
• skip rope
• the end of one's rope
• wire rope

Rhymes for rope

• cope
• dope
• grope
• lope
• mope
• nope
• scope
• shope
• slope
• soap
• stope
• swope

Kids Definition

rope

1 of 2 noun

ˈrōp 

1

a

: a large stout cord of strands (as of fiber or wire) twisted or braided together

b

: lariat

c

: a noose used for hanging

2

: a row or string (as of beads) made by or as if by braiding, twining, or threading

3

plural : the special way things are done (as on a job)

learn the ropes

rope

2 of 2 verb

roped; roping

1

a

: to bind, fasten, or tie with a rope

b

: to set off or divide by a rope

rope off a street for a neighborhood carnival

c

: to catch with a lasso

2

: to draw as if with a rope

roped her friends into helping with the project

roper noun