copper
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
A police officer, especially one in uniform.
Register: slang
Examples
If you're caught by a copper, it's his job to pinch you, isn't it? You can hold him up with a gun, but he's got to come on, even if he gets killed. […] It's not fair on the coppers either; they've got their duty to do, and it's dirty to kill a man for doing his job.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Chiefly preceded by a descriptive word: a private detective or a security guard.
Register: dated, slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Meaning · English
An informer. — A person working as an informer for the police; a nark
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “copper” mean?
A police officer, especially one in uniform.
Is “copper” formal or informal?
copper is generally slang.