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.
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."