copper
gb/kˈɑpɚ/ us/kˈɑpɚ/
A2
English
~ 4700
réz, zsaru, rézpénz, rézérme
NOUN
A2
1
réz
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] made of copper
The electrician replaced the old cables with copper wire.
A villanyszerelő rézvezetékre cserélte a régi kábeleket.
Copper conducts electricity better than most metals.
A réz jobban vezeti az áramot, mint a legtöbb fém.
They mined copper from the hills for centuries.
The statue was made entirely of copper.
Copper prices have risen on the global market.
Learner examples
The pot is made of copper.
A fazék rézből készült.
Copper is used in wires.
A rezet elektromos vezetékekben használják.
This pipe is copper.
They found copper in the ground.
Copper is a kind of metal.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'copper' with 'bronze', but bronze is an alloy containing copper and other metals.
Meaning
A reddish-brown metal element
Collocations
copper wire
|copper pipe
|pure copper
|copper mine
|copper alloy
Synonyms
bronze (An alloy mainly of copper and tin, not pure copper.)
|
metal (A general term; less specific than copper.)
Antonyms
plastic (A non-metal material often used instead of copper in some applications.)
Themes
science
|materials
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A reddish-brown metal used to make wires, pipes, and coins.
A reddish-brown, ductile metallic element (symbol Cu) that is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity, widely used in electrical wiring, plumbing, and coins.
NOUN
B1
INFORMAL
2
zsaru
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a copper
The copper caught the thief red-handed.
A zsaru tetten érte a tolvajt.
He used to be a copper before becoming a detective.
Korábban zsaru volt, mielőtt nyomozó lett.
A couple of coppers were standing on the corner.
That copper knows everyone in the neighborhood.
Learner examples
The copper stopped the car.
A zsaru megállította az autót.
A copper is talking to the man.
Egy zsaru beszél a férfival.
The copper is wearing a uniform.
I saw a copper in the street.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'copper' always means the metal; in slang it can mean 'police officer'.
Meaning
Informal term for a police officer
Collocations
local copper
|undercover copper
|old copper
Synonyms
cop (Very common informal term, especially in American English.)
Antonyms
criminal (Opposite role to a police officer.)
Themes
law
|informal
|core_vocabulary
Definition
An informal word for a police officer.
An informal term for a police officer, used mainly in British and Australian English.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
3
He paid the boy a few coppers for his help.
Néhány rézpénzzel fizetett a fiúnak a segítségéért.
The street musician collected coppers in his hat.
Az utcazenész rézpénzeket gyűjtött a kalapjában.
In those days, a loaf of bread cost only a copper.
Learner examples
He gave me a copper.
Adott nekem egy rézpénzt.
The man has many coppers.
A férfinak sok rézpénze van.
She put some coppers on the table.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the metal itself; here it means coins made from it.
Meaning
Low-value coin made from copper
Collocations
old copper
|small copper
|Victorian copper
Synonyms
penny (In UK and US currency, a small denomination coin, sometimes made of copper.)
Themes
money
|history
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A small coin made from copper or a similar metal.
A coin made from copper or a similar alloy, typically of low monetary value, especially in historical contexts.
Grammar
Dictionary form
copper
IPA
GB/kˈɑpɚ/
US/kˈɑpɚ/
Syllables & stress
cop - per (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cop)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: copper
- Plural: copper, coppers
Word family
Forms
coppers
noun
Related words
coppery
adjective
Expressions
copper-bottomed guarantee
1/kˈɑpɚ bˈɑtəmd ɡˌɛɹəntˈi/
fixed phrase
A completely reliable guarantee
A promise or agreement that is certain and cannot fail.
Examples
- The contract came with a copper-bottomed guarantee of delivery within 30 days.
- Investors are looking for a copper-bottomed guarantee before committing their money.
copper-bottomed plan
1/kˈɑpɚ bˈɑtəmd plˈæn/
fixed phrase
A completely reliable plan
A plan that is sure to work and has no risk of failure.
Examples
- We need a copper-bottomed plan if we want to impress the investors.
- Her proposal was a copper-bottomed plan for success.