copacetic

or co·pa·set·ic, co·pe·set·ic

[ koh-puh-set-ik, -see-tik ]

adjective

, Slang.

1. fine; completely satisfactory; OK.

copacetic

/ ˌkəʊpəˈsɛtɪk /

adjective

1. slang.
   very good; excellent; completely satisfactory

Word History and Origins

Origin of copacetic¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1915–20; of obscure origin; popular attributions of the word to Louisiana French, Italian, Hebrew, etc., lack supporting evidence

Word History and Origins

Origin of copacetic¹

C20: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Palmer apologized and thought everything was copacetic between them — until a few days later, in her trailer, a co-star gave her a different read on the situation.

From Los Angeles Times

For example, if things are as copacetic in Russia as Carlson claims, then emigration out of the country should be minimal, or at least normal.

From Salon

But over the decades, there have been hints that things were not entirely copacetic between the two men whose names are almost always uttered in sequence.

From New York Times

Using my newfound powers of tree awareness, I have been able to focus on ecologically copacetic trees that are not so much awesome as sublime.

From Los Angeles Times

Hours after McNally’s initial post, though, all seemed copacetic when he posted that Corden had apologized and was once again welcome.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• agreeable
• amiable
• amusing
• bland
• charming
• cheerful
• congenial
• cool
• cordial
• delightful
• engaging
• enjoyable
• fun
• gracious
• homey
• likable
• lovely
• mild
• pleasing
• pleasurable

More About Copacetic

What does copacetic mean?

Copacetic means fine, OK, agreeable, totally satisfactory.

Copacetic is a (somewhat dated) slang word usually used to describe a situation, mood, or relationship as being without problems. It’s also spelled copasetic.

Example: I was worried the concert was going to go badly, but John assured me everything was totally copacetic.

Where does copacetic come from?

Copacetic is first recorded in the early 1900s. Although it may sound Latinate, its origin is unknown. Proposed languages of origin include Chinook, Italian, Louisiana French, and Hebrew, but none of the origin stories are particularly convincing.

The first attested use of the word comes from Irving Bacheller’s 1919 book about Abraham Lincoln, A Man for the Ages (in which he spelled it copasetic). It further entered the public consciousness through the Prohibition-era song “At the New Jump Steady Ball,” whose lyrics include the line “Copasetic was the password for one and all, at the new jump steady ball.” By the 60s and 70s, when it reemerged as popular slang, the common spelling became copacetic, as it is generally spelled today.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of copacetic?

• copasetic (alternate spelling)

What are some synonyms for copacetic?

• cool
• OK
• fine 
• good

How is copacetic used in real life?

Copacetic is informal. It’s typically used to used to describe a situation that’s going fine (“Everything’s copacetic”), or a relationship that is completely friendly, perhaps even after it hadn’t been (“We’re copacetic now”).

I’ll tell you everything is copacetic. pic.twitter.com/xj41bFkz0U

— 𝑬𝒎𝒐 𝑩𝒂𝒈𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒔 (@SickSadShaun) October 15, 2019

I think we’re copacetic? I hope so 😳😳😳😳 https://t.co/RP2xjJIBMe

— natasha lyonne (@nlyonne) October 29, 2017

Today’s mood: copacetic & unbothered

— ℭ𝔯𝔶 𝔅𝔞𝔟𝔶 (@mandynonames) December 11, 2019

 

 

Try using copacetic!

Imagine you are throwing someone a birthday party that is going very smoothly. Use copacetic in a sentence to describe the situation.