coup
1 Americannoun
-
coups
plural
-
a highly successful, unexpected stroke, act, or move; a clever action or accomplishment.
-
(among the Plains Indians of North America) a brave or reckless deed performed in battle by a single warrior, as touching or striking an enemy warrior without sustaining injury oneself.
idioms
verb (used with or without object)
noun
-
a brilliant and successful stroke or action
-
short for coup d'état
verb
noun
verb
Usage
Why is coup trending? On January 6, 2021, interest in the word coup spiked—corresponding with a 962% increase in search interest on Dictionary.com—after a mob of supporters of Donald Trump stormed the U. S. Capitol building on the day Congress was set to certify the electoral vote count to confirm Joe Biden’s presidential election victory. Some journalists, political analysts, and politicians used the word coup to describe the events that occurred at the nation’s capitol. The word coup, in this context, is short for coup d’état, which literally means “stroke of state” in French. Due to its French origin, the final p is not pronounced, making the word sound identical to the word coo.https://twitter.com/SenWarren/status/1346947575975272448https://twitter.com/MaryLTrump/status/1346963110041505794https://twitter.com/RepPressley/status/1346937329928302593
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of coup1
First recorded in 1640–50; from French: literally, “a blow, stroke,” Old French colp, from Late Latin colpus, from Latin colaphus, from Greek kólaphos
Origin of coup2
First recorded in 1350–1400; likely originally a variant of cope
Explanation
A coup is a pretty major achievement, whether it involves taking over a government by force, or landing a major business contract. When the word coup is used on the nightly news, it's usually describing a military government takeover. In the business section of the daily newspaper, coup might refer to a big corporation landing an important contract or deal. However you use the word coup, don't say the "p" at the end. It's not pronounced like chicken coop. It sounds more like a dove's coo.
Vocabulary lists containing coup
ASVAB Word Knowledge
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 SAT words Beginning with "C"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
A Long Way Gone
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
This is beyond crackpots, this is cuckoo coup territory.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026
Mexico and Peru announced the restoration of diplomatic ties on Friday, following a months-long split over the asylum bid of a former Peruvian official accused of coup plotting.
From Barron's ● Aug. 7, 2026
That would be a coup at a time when many investors are wary of companies growing AI spending.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
He was 17 when he joined the nationwide protests against the military coup in Myanmar in 2021.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
A general with a strong Hausa accent came on and announced that there had been a coup and that we had a new government.
From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
"When our presence was no longer wanted after the coups, we left," he explained.
From BBC ● May 12, 2026
Hounkpè's view is significant, as Benin's relationship with the two states plummeted following the coups there.
From BBC ● Apr. 9, 2026
Since 2020, Africa has experienced a wave of military coups.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 12, 2026
Madagascar is the latest of several former French colonies in Africa to come under military control since 2020, after coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger and other nations.
From Barron's ● Feb. 24, 2026
HERMIONE: Severus, I’m done with living off scraps, making failed attempts at coups.
From "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" by J.K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
