cooper
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˈkuːpər/
KK: /ˈkuːpər/
noun
Definition
A person who makes or fixes wooden barrels and tubs.
Example
The cooper skillfully crafted a new barrel for the wine.
Conversation
I heard you went to that craft fair last weekend.
Yeah, it was amazing! I even met a cooper who was demonstrating how to make barrels.
That sounds really interesting! Did he have any cool techniques?
Definitely! He showed us how to bend the wood without breaking it.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
barrelmaker
caskmaker
tubmaker
Antonyms
verb
Definition
To make or repair wooden barrels or casks.
Example
He learned to cooper barrels in his grandfather's workshop.
Tense Forms
Past: coopered
Past Participle: coopered
Conversation
Did you know that my uncle used to cooper barrels for a living?
Really? That's such an interesting trade!
Yeah, he said it takes a lot of skill to cooper them properly.
Root Explanation
Cooper originates from Middle English 'couper' (meaning barrel maker), which comes from Old French 'coupeor' (meaning one who cuts or shapes). The word refers to a craftsman who makes barrels or containers by shaping wood.
Memory Tip
Think of a craftsman who 'shapes' ('coupeor') wood to make barrels — that's why a cooper is someone who makes barrels.
Visually Confused Words
scooper
coper
cooer
recooper
looper
hooper
couper
copter