cops
word · lemma: cop
/ˈkɑps/
kahps
/kˈɒps/
kops
Definition
"Cops" is an informal word for police officers — the people whose job is to enforce the law and keep the public safe.
Usage & Nuances
Very informal and sometimes slightly humorous or disrespectful. Common in American and British English. Used mainly in speech, not in formal writing. Synonyms: 'police', 'officers' (formal). Never use 'cops' in official or academic writing.
Spanish: policíasPortuguese (BR): policiaisPortuguese (PT): políciasChinese (Simplified): 警察 (口语)Chinese (Traditional): 警察 (口語)Hindi: पुलिसवाले (अनौपचारिक)Arabic: شرطة (عامية)Bengali: পুলিশ - কপ (অফিসার, অপ্রচলিত)Russian: менты - копыJapanese: 警官（けいかん） - ポリ - おまわりさんVietnamese: cảnh sátKorean: 경찰 - 경찰관Turkish: polis - cop (argo)Urdu: پولیس - کانسٹیبل (غیر رسمی)Indonesian: polisi - cop (gaul)
Example Sentences
The cops are coming!
basic
My brother wants to be one of the cops.
basic
The cops caught the thief.
basic
"Don't worry, the cops aren't looking for us," he joked.
natural
Why are there so many cops here tonight?
natural
We saw a bunch of cops hanging out at the coffee shop.
natural