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

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.

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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.