copper
/ˈkɒpə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [kˈɑpɚ] /ˈkɑːpər/ (ame, ipa) · [kˈɑpɚ] /ˈkä-pər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈkɒp.ər/ (bre, ipa) · [kˈɑpɚ] /ˈkɑː.pɚ/ (ame, ipa)
copper — noun
- coppersingular
- coppersplural
1. a soft reddish-brown metal that conducts electricity and heat well. It is widely
a soft reddish-brown metal that conducts electricity and heat well. It is widely used to make wire, pipes, coins, and cooking equipment.
Amara ran new copper wiring through the walls of her apartment to fix the old electrical system.
uncountable noun — 'copper wiring' as material
The pipes in Elena's bathroom are made of copper, which lasts much longer than plastic.
Lisbon was once a major port for exporting copper to other parts of Europe.
The mechanic showed his apprentice how to solder two copper wires together using a torch.
Copper is an excellent conductor of heat, which is why professional chefs prefer copper pans.
- bronze
a similar alloy of copper and tin, darker and harder than pure copper
文法句型
uncountable — no article needed for general reference
用法筆記
Frequently uncountable when referring to the metal as a material. The countable form (coppers) is used for coins or, informally, police officers — see senses 3 and 4 below.
常見錯誤
2. a reddish-brown colour that looks like the metal copper, often with a warm shiny
a reddish-brown colour that looks like the metal copper, often with a warm shiny quality
Amara bought a sweater in a warm copper that matched her autumn coat perfectly.
colour as uncountable noun: 'a warm copper'
The maple leaves turned a beautiful shade of copper before falling to the ground.
Mei-Lin painted her kitchen walls a soft copper that caught the afternoon light.
Siti chose copper curtains for the living room to give the space a warm, elegant feel.
文法句型
a/the + adjective + copper — for the shade/colour
用法筆記
Can also be used as an adjective (copper curtains) or a noun (shade of copper). When used as a noun for the colour, it is usually uncountable.
3. a small-value brown coin, for instance a British penny, that people use in minor
a small-value brown coin, for instance a British penny, that people use in minor everyday purchases
Emma found a few loose coppers under her sofa cushions while cleaning the living room.
plural countable: 'a few coppers'
Priyanka dropped a handful of coppers into the charity collection box at the supermarket.
The busker smiled when Noa tossed several copper coins into his guitar case after the song.
Ananya counted the coppers in her wallet to see if she had enough for a single bus ticket.
- penny
the most common copper-coloured coin in the UK and US, worth one cent or one pence
- bronze coin
similar appearance but made of bronze alloy rather than pure copper
文法句型
number + copper(s) — for quantity
用法筆記
Chiefly British English. In American English, the equivalent is usually called a penny or simply a coin. The plural coppers is common in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
4. a police officer, used in informal conversation rather than official contexts
a police officer, used in informal conversation rather than official contexts
The copper spotted a stolen bicycle chained to a lamppost and radioed the station.
informal register: 'the copper' for 'the police officer'
Sofia's grandfather was a well-known copper in Glasgow back in the 1970s.
When the shopkeeper heard glass breaking at midnight, he rang the local coppers.
A crowd watched as two coppers examined the damaged car outside the bank entrance.
- police officer
neutral, formal term; appropriate in any context
- officer
shortened neutral term, often used when addressing police directly
- cop
equally informal, widely used in American English
文法句型
article/number + copper(s)
用法筆記
Informal and conversational. Do not use in formal writing, official reports, or when addressing a police officer directly. The neutral equivalent is police officer.
常見錯誤
copper — adjective
- copperpositive
- copperercomparative
- copperestsuperlative
1. fashioned from the reddish-brown metal, or describing something connected with t
fashioned from the reddish-brown metal, or describing something connected with that material. Objects made this way often conduct heat or electricity efficiently.
The kitchen had a beautiful copper sink that the owner polished until it shone.
attributive: 'copper sink' = sink made of copper
The old farmhouse still had its original copper gutters, now weathered to a soft green.
Wei bought a copper kettle at the antique market for brewing tea on the stove.
The garden tap was connected to the house by a thick copper pipe buried underground.
- coppery
describes the colour or appearance of copper, not necessarily the material itself; e.g. 'coppery hair'
文法句型
copper + noun — describing the material
用法筆記
Not gradable — something is either made of copper or it is not. Do not say 'more copper' or 'very copper'. Compare sense 2 (copper colour), which can be gradable.
常見錯誤
2. displaying the warm reddish-brown appearance that is typical of refined copper,
displaying the warm reddish-brown appearance that is typical of refined copper, frequently with a shiny glow
Elena's hair had a natural copper sheen that glowed brightly in the sunlight.
attributive: 'copper sheen' — describes colour quality
The morning sun cast a copper light across the calm surface of the lake.
Noa wore a copper scarf that brought out the warm tones in her olive skin.
The dog's coat was a rich copper, somewhere between deep red and golden brown.
- coppery
more common for colour description; e.g. 'coppery leaves', 'coppery sunset'
- auburn
specifically for hair; redder and warmer than copper
- rust-coloured
similar but duller and less shiny
文法句型
copper + noun / be + copper — describing colour
用法筆記
Gradable: you can say 'more copper' or 'very copper' in informal colour descriptions, though 'coppery' is more common for such uses. This sense describes appearance, not actual material.
copper — verb
- copperpresent simple I / you / we / they
- coppers3rd person singular
- coppering-ing form
- copperedpast simple
1. to apply a coating of the reddish-brown metal onto an object's surface, typicall
to apply a coating of the reddish-brown metal onto an object's surface, typically for protection or to boost its electrical or thermal performance
The shipyard workers coppered the bottom of the fishing boat to protect it from sea water and barnacles.
active transitive: 'coppered the bottom'
At the workshop, the metal artist learned how to copper steel sculptures using an electroplating bath.
The church roof was coppered in the traditional way, with sheets of the metal nailed over the wooden frame.
Specialists copper the interior of the distillery's still to prevent unwanted chemical reactions during production.
- plate with copper
more specific; electroplating rather than mechanical coating
- sheathe with copper
refers to covering with sheets of copper, especially on ship hulls
文法句型
copper + noun (object) — to apply copper coating
用法筆記
A technical term found mainly in shipbuilding, architecture, and metalworking. The passive form (be coppered) is more common than the active. Do not use this verb in everyday conversation.