# cope

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈkəʊp/ · frequency rank #6,668

## Definitions
1. To deal effectively with something, especially if difficult.
2. To cut and form a mitred joint in wood or metal.
3. To clip the beak or talons of a bird.

## Etymology
Etymology tree
Old French couperder.
English cope
From Middle English coupen, from Old French coper, couper (“to strike, to cut”). The noun use went mainstream around 2020.

## Easily confused with
- **cp** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cope-vs-cp)
- **cup** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cope-vs-cup)
- **cow** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cope-vs-cow)
- **cos** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cope-vs-cos)
- **cox** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cope-vs-cox)
- **cue** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cope-vs-cue)
- **CPU** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cope-vs-cpu)
- **CPR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cope-vs-cpr)
- **CPS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cope-vs-cps)
- **cor** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cope-vs-cor)
- **CPI** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cope-vs-cpi)
- **CPA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cope-vs-cpa)
- **cot** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cope-vs-cot)
- **CPC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cope-vs-cpc)
- **coz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cope-vs-coz)
- **coy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cope-vs-coy)
- **cpl** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cope-vs-cpl)
- **CTE** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cope-vs-cte)
- **CPD** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cope-vs-cpd)
- **Cov** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/cope-vs-cov)

## Common misspellings (5)
`ccope`, `coep`, `coppe`, `cpoe`, `ocpe`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/cope