How do you use the word "copper" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "copper": Here comes a copper! Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.

Copper Meaning

/ˈkɒpə/

Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

nounA reddish-brown metallic chemical element (symbol Cu) with the atomic number 29; also, the metal made up of this element.

nounThe reddish-brown colour of copper (etymology 1, noun sense 1).

Sentence Examples

Here comes a copper!

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

pig bull

Antonyms:

None

CEFR Practice Quiz

The old pot was made of ____ and had turned green.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

Here comes a ____!

Word Origin & History

The noun is inherited from Middle English coper, copper (“copper ore; copper metal; bronze”), from Old English coper, copor (“copper”), from Late Latin cuprum (“copper”), a contraction of Latin aes Cyprium (literally “Cyprian brass or copper”), ultimately from Ancient Greek Κῠ́προς (Kŭ́pros, “Cyprus”) (a major source of copper during the Near East’s Bronze Age), from the name of a Northwest Semitic goddess from the root כ־ב־ר/ك ب ر (k b r) (“related to being big, large; great; or old”). Doublet of kobo. The adjective is from an attributive use of the noun. The verb is also derived from the noun. cognates * Dutch koper (“copper”) * German Kupfer (“copper”) * Icelandic kopar (“copper”)

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"Men talke much […] of the Philoſophers ſtone, that it turneth copper into gold; […]" — 1611, [Miles Smith], “The Translators to the Reader”, in The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC:

"Through the clear smooth water her copper shone brightly; […]" — 1836, [Frederick] Marryat, “The Pirate. Chapter VII. Sleeper's Bay.”, in The Pirate, and The Three Cutters. […], London: […] Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longman, →OCLC, page 61:

"In the Siberian Traps crustal contamination of mantle magmas is seen to cause the segregation of large volumes of sulfide, which host giant deposits of nickel, copper, and platinum group metals in associated intrusions." — 2015, Peter R. Hooper, “Flood Basalt Provinces”, in Haraldur Sigurdsson, editor, Encyclopedia of Volcanoes, 2nd edition, San Diego, Calif.: Academic Press, →ISBN, part II (Eruption), page 355, column 2:

"[Donald] Trump's July 8 announcement of a 50% tariff on copper imports beginning August 1 sent prices surging 13% in one day, up to a record high of $5.69 per pound." — 2025 July 17, John Towfighi, “Copper Prices have Surged to Record Highs – and They could Jump Higher. Here’s Why”, in CNN Business, archived from the original on 05 Feb 2026:

"Coppers are generally good for a year, if the battery is carefully attended; they should, however, be removed before they have increased to such a size that their removal might cause the destruction of the glass jars." — 1885 December, “Main Batteries”, in General Rules and Regulations Applicable to All Employes of the Chicago and Grand Trunk R[ailwa]y Company, Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee R’y, and Railways Operated by Them, Detroit, Mich.: General Offices [of the Chicago and Grand Trunk Railway Company, and Detroit, Grand Haven and Milwaukee Railway Company], →OCLC, page 33:

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