coo
coo Lexical Profile
coo Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To speak in a very soft, gentle, or fondly affectionate voice (often to a baby, pet, or romantic partner).
"Relatives gathered around the crib to coo over the newborn baby."
To make a soft, low, murmuring sound (characteristic of doves or pigeons).
"Pigeons cooed softly on the stone windowsill as the morning sun rose."
• noun
A soft, murmuring sound made by a dove or pigeon, or a similar gentle vocalization made by a baby or an affectionate person.
"The gentle coo of a mourning dove echoed through the quiet orchard at dawn."
• interjection
British An exclamation used in informal speech to express surprise, disbelief, or mild astonishment.
"Coo, look at the size of that marrow in the garden!"
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse with the homophone 'coup' (as in coup d'état or a clever stroke of success), which is spelled with a silent 'p'.
• Rhymes for coo
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the late 17th century, 'coo' is of imitative (onomatopoeic) origin, directly mimicking the soft, guttural call of doves and pigeons.