copal

noun

co·​pal ˈkō-pəl 

-ˌpal;

kō-ˈpal

: a recent or fossil resin from various tropical trees

Examples of copal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cleanse your altar with copal incense and declutter the area. — Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 27 Oct. 2025

The animals are hand-carved from copal, a fragrant softwood native to the area. — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026

It’s shrouded in vetiver and jasmine, with a drydown of copal, a warm and woody incense. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 12 June 2026

Reyes said her business sells incense, sage, palo santo wood, and copal, an aromatic tree resin. — Emma Hall june 23, Sacbee.com, 23 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Nahuatl copalli resin

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for copal

• opal
• propyl
• isopropyl

Kids Definition

copal

noun

co·​pal ˈkō-pəl 

: a recent or fossil resin from various tropical trees used in making varnishes