coup

UK: /ˈkuː/ US: /ku/ ,(ko̅o̅; Scot. kōp, ko̅o̅p)

Inflections of 'coup' (n): npl: coups

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

coup¹ /ku/   n. [countable] , pl. coups (ko̅o̅z).

1. a highly successful, unexpected act or move:
   It was quite a coup to get the Russian hockey star to come and play in New York.
2. Anthropology (among the Plains Indians of North America) a daring deed performed in battle by a warrior.
3. Government coup d'état.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

coup¹  (ko̅o̅), n., pl. coups 

(ko̅o̅z; Fr. ko̅o̅). 
1. a highly successful, unexpected stroke, act, or move;
   a clever action or accomplishment.
2. Anthropology (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. Government See coup d'état. 
4. Anthropology, Idioms count coup, (among Plains Indians of North America)
   • to perform a coup.
   • to recount or relate the coups one has performed.

• Greek kólaphos
• Late Latin colpus, Latin colaphus
• French: literally, blow, stroke, Old French colp
• 1640–50

coup²  (kōp, ko̅o̅p), v.t., v.i. [Scot.]

1. Scottish Terms overturn;
   upset.

• Old Norse kaupa to buy, barter; cognate with Old English cēapian, German kaufen. See cheap
• Middle English coupe to pay for 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

coup / kuː/ noun

1. a brilliant and successful stroke or action
2. short for coup d'état

Etymology: 18th Century: from French: blow, from Latin colaphus blow with the fist, from Greek kolaphos