cop out

verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"cop-out" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“cop out” is outside the top-ranked English vocabulary, used as a verb - the kind of word writers most often double-check.

Unranked
below top-frequency English
7
letters

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To avoid or shirk, either by failing to perform, or by performing in a grossly insufficient, negligent, or superficial manner.

Key facts for cop out
PropertyValue
Headwordcop out
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
Letters7
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “cop out” sits in English frequency

cop out falls outside the top-100,000 ranked English words, the long-tail zone of technical, archaic, or low-frequency vocabulary, exactly where readers second-guess spellings most.

Beyond rank #100,000. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for cop out is 7 letters long, classified as a verb. It sits outside the most-frequent rank tiers, which is often why uncommon words generate more spelling variants per reader. Wiktionary records 7 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

cop out doesn't appear in our generated misspelling index, which points to an orthography that plays by predictable English rules. Our confusable-pair dataset has no match for it, which usually means its spelling is distinct enough that readers don't reach for a similar-looking word instead.

Etymologically, the entry records: Attested since 1942 as “flee, escape, cop (an) out”. The correct English form is cop out, spelled C-O-P- -O-U-T.

Definition

  1. 1
    To avoid or shirk, either by failing to perform, or by performing in a grossly insufficient, negligent, or superficial manner.
  2. 2
    To plead guilty and ask for mercy.
  3. 3
    To blame; to assign blame to; to get into trouble.
  4. 4
    To remove from a situation or crowd, such as for arrest or punishment.
  5. 5
    To leave a gang.
  6. 6
    To abandon, let down or betray (someone).
  7. 7
    To win (someone) over; to get on (someone's) good side.

Etymology

Attested since 1942 as “flee, escape, cop (an) out”.

This word in other languages

se défiler(Français)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "cop out"?
"cop out" is spelled C-O-P- -O-U-T.
What does "cop out" mean?
As a verb, "cop out" means: To avoid or shirk, either by failing to perform, or by performing in a grossly insufficient, negligent, or superficial manner.
What is the origin of the word "cop out"?
Attested since 1942 as “flee, escape, cop (an) out”. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “cop out”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is C-O-P- -O-U-T - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list