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Cooty - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Cooty is a playful, informal term often used by children to describe an imaginary germ or something perceived as dirty or contagious. It implies mild disgust or teasing.

cooty

/ˈkuːti/ /ˈkuːti/

Definition:

A slang term for head lice or an imaginary childhood disease.

Synonyms:

lice, nits, parasites

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

clean hair, healthy scalp

Common Collocations:

catch cooties, avoid cooties, cootie spray

Derivatives:

cootie-ridden, cootie-free

Usage Tips:

Use "cooty" informally among children; avoid in formal contexts as it’s playful slang.

Common Phrases:

got cooties, cootie catcher, cootie shot

Etymology:

Likely derived from "coot," a bird with lice, or Malay "kutu" (louse).

Examples:

  • 1. The kids teased her about having cooty in her hair.
  • 2. He pretended to catch cooty from his friend during recess.
  • 3. She used a special shampoo to avoid getting cooty at school.
  • 4. They played a game of tag called "cooty infection."

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