copse

American  

[kops] / kɒps /

noun

1. a thicket of small trees or bushes; a small wood.

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copse British  

/ kɒps /

noun

1. another word for coppice

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Etymology

Origin of copse

First recorded in 1570–80; alteration of coppice

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Explanation

A copse is a thicket of bushes or a small stand of trees. A copse of trees can provide a good hiding place during a game of hide-and-seek. If you go to your local garden shop and ask about how to take care of your copse, you may get some blank stares, as it's not a word you'll find much in everyday use. The word first appeared in the late 16th century, as a shortened form of coppice, a word still used in British English, referring to an area with trees or shrubs that are periodically cut back to the ground so that they grow back thicker.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

copse

He said Citizen Zoo have many other plants on their radar, including copse bindweed, a native British climbing plant.

From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026

I remember pulling my rental car into the parking lot of a small church tucked away in a copse.

From Slate ● Oct. 24, 2024

Around every bend are tiny rewards — a copse of trees with the Olympic rings poking out, a tiny reflecting-pool shrine that exhorts people to “remember here those who gave their lives for peace.”

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 23, 2023

Around every bend are tiny rewards - a copse of trees with the Olympic rings poking out, a tiny reflecting-pool shrine that exhorts people to “remember here those who gave their lives for peace.”

From Washington Times ● Sep. 23, 2023

Thomas sprinted after the scurrying spy, and in a matter of seconds he entered the thick copse of trees and the world became dark.

From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner

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