One syllable: Copse.
kohps
/koʊps/
Copse is pronounced kohps (/koʊps/). It has one syllable (Copse), with the stress on "Copse". Copse is a small group of trees, typically a thicket or thicket-like stand that forms a sheltered, shaded area. It is a noun used to describe a discreet, wooded cluster, often found as part of larger landscapes or estates. The term emphasizes a compact, secluded arborous patch rather than a forest. It conveys imagery of quiet, intimate woodland rather than open woodland.
nounCopse is a small group of trees, typically a thicket or thicket-like stand that forms a sheltered, shaded area. It is a noun used to describe a discreet, wooded cluster, often found as part of larger landscapes or estates. The term emphasizes a compact, secluded arborous patch rather than a forest. It conveys imagery of quiet, intimate woodland rather than open woodland.
How to Pronounce Copse
"He wandered through the copse, listening to the birds."
"A narrow path led from the garden into the copse beyond."
"They paused in the copse to rest and shade themselves from the sun."
Copse is pronounced with a single syllable: COPSE. The initial sound is a hard /k/ followed immediately by the /ɒ/ vowel (as in 'cot' in US English or 'lot' in British English), and ending with a consonant cluster /ps/ that lands as a voiceless combination; the final 'e' is not sounded separately. IPA: /kɒps/ in UK and US norms; in some American renditions you may hear a slightly clipped final /ps/ and a near-short /ɒ/; ensure the /p/ is released then immediately blend into the voiceless /s/.
Common mistakes: 1) Mispronouncing the ending as /z/ (coz) instead of /ps/—ensure you release the /p/ and add a quick voiceless /s/; 2) Pronouncing it like 'corps' with a silent r or an /r/ sound—avoid the r-coloring; 3) Using a long vowel /oː/ instead of /ɒ/ or /ɒɑ/—keep it a short, rounded /ɒ/ or /ɒə/ depending on accent. Practice by saying 'kop-s' with the final /ps/ cluster cleanly; make sure the lips close for /p/ then release into the /s/.
In US and UK English the core is /kɒps/ (short o, rhotic or nonrhotic varieties do not alter this word's core). In many US accents you might hear a slightly sharper /ɒ/ or even /ɑ/ depending on regional vowel shift, but the /ps/ cluster remains. Australian English tends to have a centralized or slightly more open /ɒ/ or /ɔ/ with a crisp /ps/ release; overall, rhoticity won’t change the word’s core, but vowel quality and pitch may differ subtly.
The difficulty lies in the final /ps/ cluster, which is less common in many everyday words and can cause mispronunciation as /s/ or /z/ or even a silent /p/. Athrough speakers may also under-articulate the /p/ or merge the /s/ with the preceding vowel, leading to a blunted ending. Practice the precise mouth sequence: knee-lip close for /p/, release into the /s/ with a brief explosion of breath, then stop. This makes the word crisp and prevents a slurred ending.
Copse does not have a truly silent ending; the final /s/ is voiceless and must be audible after the /p/ release. Some speakers briefly reduce the /s/ in rapid speech, but to be clear, you should articulate the /s/ after the /p/, creating the /ps/ cluster. A common search query asks about the 'silent’ ending; the correct understanding is that the /s/ is not lengthened and should be brief but audible.
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Copse derives from the Old English cop(e) or cop, meaning a small enclosed wood or thicket, with related forms in Middle English as copse, coppice, and coppice wood. The term likely traces to Proto-Germanic *kopaz or *kopʒ, indicating a chopped or cut piece of woodland, reflecting historical forestry practices where small, managed stands of trees were periodically coppiced for resources like fuel and brushwood. Over time, copse narrowed in use to denote a compact stand of trees, typically planted or maintained to form a sheltered corner or boundary, rather than a large forest. The concept of a copse appears in English literature as early as the medieval period, with evolving connotations of seclusion and pastoral scenery. First known written uses appear in Middle English texts around the 13th to 14th centuries, often in estate records or narrative descriptions that emphasize intimate, human-scale woodlands within cultivated landscapes. In contemporary usage, copse retains its specialized sense as a small, sheltered cluster of trees, often invoked for mood, setting, or hedging within a larger landscape.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Copse" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Copse" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Copse" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Copse"
-ope sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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