Cope — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈkōp/

Meaning & Definition of Cope

Cope (verb)

  1. to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties —often used with with
  2. to maintain a contest or combat usually on even terms or with success —used with with
  3. meet, encounter
  4. to cover or furnish with a cope
  5. to shape (a structural member) to fit a coping or conform to the shape of another member
  6. notch

Cope (noun)

  1. a long enveloping ecclesiastical vestment
  2. something resembling a cope (as by concealing or covering)
  3. coping

Cope (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that covers or conceals like a piece of cloth

    "committed their nefarious deeds under the dark cope of night"

    similar: blanket, cloak, cover, cover-up, covering, coverture, curtain, hood, mantle, mask, pall, penumbra, robe, shroud, veil, wraps
    related: blind, concealer, screen, shield, fig leaf, Potemkin village, Trojan horse, camouflage, disguise, facade, face, veneer, gloss, varnish

Cope (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to meet one's day-to-day needs

    "a young man learning to cope on his own at college"

    similar: do, fare, get along, get by, get on, make out, manage, shift, fend for oneself, make do, make ends meet, make shift
    related: carry on, contrive, scrape (by or through), scrounge, last, survive, eke out, scrape (out), squeeze, wrest, wring, afford, swing
    near: collapse, fail, fall short, fizzle, flounder, decline, peter (out), slump, wane, give up

Related Entry: Cope (with) (verb)

Cope (with) is a different word from Cope. The synonyms below are for cope (with), not for cope.

  1. to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently

    "coped with the latest foul-up gracefully"

    similar: address, contend (with), field, grapple (with), hack, handle, manage, maneuver, manipulate, negotiate, play, swing, take, treat, come to grips with, have a grip on
    related: engineer, finesse, jockey, bring off, carry off, carry out, get off, pull, command, direct, guide, steer, control, micromanage, regulate, run, react (to), respond (to)
    near: botch, bungle, foozle, fumble, goof (up), louse up, mess (up), mishandle, muff, scamp

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Cope

The most common words with a similar meaning to Cope:

blanket, cloak, cover, cover-up, covering, coverture, curtain, hood, mantle, mask, pall, penumbra, robe, shroud, veil, wraps, do, fare, get along, get by, get on, make out, manage, shift, fend for oneself, make do, make ends meet, make shift

Related Words for Cope

blind, concealer, screen, shield, fig leaf, Potemkin village, Trojan horse, camouflage, disguise, facade, face, veneer, gloss, varnish, carry on, contrive, scrape (by or through), scrounge, last, survive, eke out, scrape (out), squeeze, wrest, wring, afford, swing

Near Antonyms of Cope

collapse, fail, fall short, fizzle, flounder, decline, peter (out), slump, wane, give up

Word Forms of Cope

Inflections: coped, coping

Origin & Etymology of Cope

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

First known use: 14th centuryi

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Cope

Frequently Asked Questions about Cope

What does "Cope" mean?

"Cope" means to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties —often used with with. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties —often used with with. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Cope"?

Other words for "Cope" include blanket, cloak, cover, cover-up, covering, coverture, curtain and hood. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Cope" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Cope"?

There are 55 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Cope". Common alternatives include blanket, cloak, cover, cover-up, covering, coverture, curtain, hood, mantle and mask.

How do you use "Cope" in a sentence?

Examples of "Cope" in a sentence: "committed their nefarious deeds under the dark cope of night"; "a young man learning to cope on his own at college".

Is "Cope" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Cope" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Cope" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Cope" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Cope"?

"Cope" is pronounced /ˈkōp/.

What is the origin of the word "Cope"?

"Cope" comes from 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. First known use: 14th centuryi.