Proper Pronunciation Guide
coup
[ku]
Tips:
- Pronounce the letters “ou” as /u/—as they are pronounced in “soup” and “group.”
- Do not pronounce the letter “p”—even in the plural form “coups” [kuz].
Practice Sentences:
| The military staged a coup to remove the president from power. | |
| His winning the important contract was a coup for his company. |
Definition:
(noun) A “takeover” by insiders, who remove the head of a state or an organization without his or her advance knowledge or consent. Also, a very successful move or act that results in a large payoff.
Notes:
- Also see coup de grâce and coup d’état.
- The word “coupe” [kup] refers to a two-door car that is a bit shorter in length than a four-door sedan.