coup

¹ American  

[koo] / ku /

noun

plural

coups

1. a highly successful, unexpected stroke, act, or move; a clever action or accomplishment.

2. (among the Plains Indians of North America) a brave or reckless deed performed in battle by a single warrior, as touching or striking an enemy warrior without sustaining injury oneself.

3. coup d'état.

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idioms

1. count coup, (among Plains Indians of North America)

   1. to perform a coup.

   2. to recount or relate the coups one has performed.

coup ² American  

[kohp, koop] / koʊp, kup /

verb (used with or without object)

Scot.

1. to overturn; upset.

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coup ¹ British  

/ kuː /

noun

1. a brilliant and successful stroke or action

2. short for coup d'état

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coup ² British  

/ kaʊp /

verb

1. to turn or fall over

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noun

1. a rubbish tip

coup ³ British  

/ kaʊp /

verb

1. to barter; traffic; deal

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coup Cultural  

1. In politics, an abbreviation for coup d'état.

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Usage

Why is coup trending? On January 6, 2021, interest in the word coup spiked—corresponding with a 962% increase in search interest on Dictionary.com—after a mob of supporters of Donald Trump stormed the U. S. Capitol building on the day Congress was set to certify the electoral vote count to confirm Joe Biden’s presidential election victory. Some journalists, political analysts, and politicians used the word coup to describe the events that occurred at the nation’s capitol. The word coup, in this context, is short for coup d’état, which literally means “stroke of state” in French. Due to its French origin, the final p is not pronounced, making the word sound identical to the word coo.https://twitter.com/SenWarren/status/1346947575975272448https://twitter.com/MaryLTrump/status/1346963110041505794https://twitter.com/RepPressley/status/1346937329928302593

Etymology

Origin of coup¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from French: literally, “a blow, stroke,” Old French colp, from Late Latin colpus, from Latin colaphus, from Greek kólaphos

Origin of coup²

First recorded in 1350–1400; likely originally a variant of cope

Explanation

A coup is a pretty major achievement, whether it involves taking over a government by force, or landing a major business contract. When the word coup is used on the nightly news, it's usually describing a military government takeover. In the business section of the daily newspaper, coup might refer to a big corporation landing an important contract or deal. However you use the word coup, don't say the "p" at the end. It's not pronounced like chicken coop. It sounds more like a dove's coo.

Example Sentences

She moved to Los Angeles at age 5 from her native Peru to join parents who left after a military coup.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

In a matter of weeks, Ned and Reynolds came to believe she was plotting a coup to remove her father as chairman.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Seba, whose real name is Stellio Gilles Robert Capo Chichi, is wanted in Benin on charges of "inciting rebellion" after supporting last year's foiled coup there.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Earlier this spring, Anthropic scored the marketing coup of a generation.

From Slate • Apr. 14, 2026

Knowing him as I do, I am sure he planned this coup.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

Related Words

• action
• overthrow
• plot
• revolution