plural copi
: asian carp
Illinois has launched a new offensive in the war on invasive Asian carp. … On Wednesday, Illinois officials announced a new name for the carp, which is actually an umbrella name for bighead, black, grass and silver carp. They will now be referred to collectively as copi. Patti Wetli
It's "copi," short for "copious," which the fish certainly are in Illinois's waterways. … The new moniker's main goal is to encourage people to eat the fish, whose decades-old status as a nuisance species has proved to be a roadblock for prospective diners. But some also saw xenophobic undertones in the old name, and the change comes amid a wider shift to banish offensive terms for everything from insects and birds to mountains. Christian Elliott

Examples of copi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Which is why some people in the U.S. are on a mission to re-brand the fish. Carp Recipes Recently, food and sustainability writer Gabriella Vigoreaux developed two recipes to showcase copi: the classic Midwestern fish fry and a Thai-style curry. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 9 Aug. 2023 Invasive carp or copi are billed as a heart-healthy fish rich in Omega 3s. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 9 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

by shortening of copious (alluding to the abundance of the fish)

Note: The coinage was introduced by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in 2022 as an alternative name for Asian carp.

First Known Use

2022, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of copi was in 2022

Dictionary Entries Near copi

Cite this Entry

“Copi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/copi. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.

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