: an Afro-Asiatic language descended from ancient Egyptian and used as the liturgical language of the Coptic church
Examples of Coptic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael Luo, New Yorker, 20 May 2025
After decades studying the Bible, reading chapters in their original languages such as Hebrew and Coptic, Dr. Pagels has many questions.
—Sophie Hills, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Mar. 2025
King explains that for much of Christian history menstruating women were not allowed into religious spaces; at some modern-day Coptic Orthodox churches, they are still forbidden from taking communion.
—S. C. Cornell, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
Day two might include a visit to see the truly exceptional exhibit of Royal Mummies at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, and visits to Islamic and Coptic Cairo, as well as Ben Ezra Synagogue and The Citadel.
—Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
The Coptic are one of the original Christian Orthodox churches.
—Lauren Green, Fox News, 16 Feb. 2025
Fortunately a cousin who was a priest in the Coptic Orthodox Church supported his dream — spiritually, emotionally and financially — and Mr. Khalil was able to go to a fine arts university in Minya, about 160 miles south of Cairo.
—Dodai Stewart, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Some Eastern Orthodox churches, such as Egyptian Coptic and Ethiopian Christians, incorporated cross tattoos into baptism.
—Gustavo Morello, The Conversation, 10 July 2024
Anyone seeking evidence of creeping Islamist radicalization in Egypt under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s repressive regime need look no further than the bombing of the Coptic Orthodox church in Cairo on December 10.
—Khalil Al-Anani, Foreign Affairs, 8 Jan. 2017
Jamie Carter, Space.com, 19 July 2025
The word is thought to have its roots in the Egyptian Coptic word kenefiten, which translates to cake.
—Claire Turrell, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
One of the men was from Ghana and chose to stay with the Coptic men and face the same fate.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2025
Helmy, the only Arab-American and first Coptic Christian in the Senate, was appointed over the summer when Bob Menendez resigned following his conviction on federal corruption charges.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 3 Dec. 2024
Just one week before the election, Trump directed a post on the social-media platform X to Coptic Christians in the United States —- whose church has ancient roots in Egypt.
—Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2024
An example last year involved Coptic schoolchildren who taped a 30-second cell phone video of themselves mocking ISIS.
—Nina Shea, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2017
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Noun
Less than two months later, the S.S. Coptic arrived into San Francisco Bay, carrying a hundred and eight Chinese and fifteen Japanese passengers in steerage.
—Michael Luo, New Yorker, 20 May 2025
After decades studying the Bible, reading chapters in their original languages such as Hebrew and Coptic, Dr. Pagels has many questions.
—Sophie Hills, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Mar. 2025
King explains that for much of Christian history menstruating women were not allowed into religious spaces; at some modern-day Coptic Orthodox churches, they are still forbidden from taking communion.
—S. C. Cornell, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
Day two might include a visit to see the truly exceptional exhibit of Royal Mummies at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, and visits to Islamic and Coptic Cairo, as well as Ben Ezra Synagogue and The Citadel.
—Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
The Coptic are one of the original Christian Orthodox churches.
—Lauren Green, Fox News, 16 Feb. 2025
Fortunately a cousin who was a priest in the Coptic Orthodox Church supported his dream — spiritually, emotionally and financially — and Mr. Khalil was able to go to a fine arts university in Minya, about 160 miles south of Cairo.
—Dodai Stewart, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
Some Eastern Orthodox churches, such as Egyptian Coptic and Ethiopian Christians, incorporated cross tattoos into baptism.
—Gustavo Morello, The Conversation, 10 July 2024
Anyone seeking evidence of creeping Islamist radicalization in Egypt under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s repressive regime need look no further than the bombing of the Coptic Orthodox church in Cairo on December 10.
—Khalil Al-Anani, Foreign Affairs, 8 Jan. 2017
Adjective
This unique 10-day journey — from Cairo's pyramids, museums and Coptic landmarks to the Bahariya Oasis in the Western Desert — blends ancient wonders and astronomy with something unexpected: sustainability.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 19 July 2025
The word is thought to have its roots in the Egyptian Coptic word kenefiten, which translates to cake.
—Claire Turrell, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
One of the men was from Ghana and chose to stay with the Coptic men and face the same fate.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2025
Helmy, the only Arab-American and first Coptic Christian in the Senate, was appointed over the summer when Bob Menendez resigned following his conviction on federal corruption charges.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 3 Dec. 2024
Just one week before the election, Trump directed a post on the social-media platform X to Coptic Christians in the United States —- whose church has ancient roots in Egypt.
—Peter Smith, Los Angeles Times, 23 Nov. 2024
An example last year involved Coptic schoolchildren who taped a 30-second cell phone video of themselves mocking ISIS.
—Nina Shea, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2017
Cite this Entry
“Coptic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Coptic. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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