coo

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence The word “coo” is a correct word in English, and it is usually used as an exclamation of admiration or affection.
As an example sentence, you could say “The baby cooed happily when her mom held her.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They are being encouraged by the decline of the more traditional non-specialist number two, the COO.

The Economist

The researchers then took digital photographs of the men and doctored the images so that their hairstyles were obscured, and could not affect the judgments of the female subjects.In this section Rocket renaissance Oochy woochy coochy coo Reprints Related items The concrete savannahDec 20th 2005These were a group of 29 women, from equally diverse backgrounds, who were shown the photographs.

The Economist

The spaceport in New Mexico from which these are intended to fly will account for another $225m, although New Mexico's government is planning to raise this money itself.In this section Rocket renaissance Oochy woochy coochy coo Reprints Related items America and Russia in space: Another battlefrontMay 11th 2006 Racing rocketsOct 6th 2005These are not small sums, of course.

The Economist

"HI THERE," a pair of flirtatious grannies coo at the governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, with much waving of red-taloned hands.

The Economist

EVEN as investors coo and fuss over private-equity firms, some politicians, particularly in Europe, are full of sound and fury.

The Economist

As COOs a position often regarded as that of CEO-in-waiting vanish from the exeCEO-in-waiting vanishe stepping in to fill the gap.With greater prominenCEO-in-waiting vanishensation, the upsides froma CFO who assumes COO responsibilithes arexecutive.

The Economist

American technology executive who was chief operating officer (COO) of the social networking company Facebook (2008– ).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sandberg was recruited as Facebook's first COO in 2008.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In most pigeons, a male in reproductive condition acquires a territory, which it proclaims with an advertisement call, usually a variant of the typical pigeon "coo" sound.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Before last December, some might have pointed to the abrasive style of Bob Pittman, AOL Time Warner's chief operating officer; then Gerald Levin picked Richard Parsons, Mr Pittman's co-COO and a "people person", to succeed Mr Levin as CEO.

The Economist

The song was even famously paraphrased by Michael Jackson in the recurring phrase "ma-ma say, ma-ma sa, ma ma-coo-sa" at the end of his 1982 release "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "coo" as a verb, consider the context. It can imply either a literal bird-like sound or a more figurative expression of affection or enthusiasm. Ensure the chosen meaning aligns with the overall tone of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "coo" in contexts where genuine empathy or serious concern is required. The word's association with gentle affection or mild enthusiasm can sound inappropriate or even dismissive in somber or critical situations.

Linguistic Context

The word "coo" functions as both a verb, describing a soft, murmuring sound, and a noun, referring to the sound itself. Additionally, it can function as an initialism, such as "COO" for Chief Operating Officer, as exemplified in the Ludwig examples. The versatile nature of "coo" allows it to adapt to various grammatical roles within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "coo" demonstrates versatility, functioning as a verb, noun, adjective, interjection and initialism. Its primary meaning involves a soft, murmuring sound, often associated with pigeons or expressions of affection. According to Ludwig, "coo" can also express admiration or enthusiasm. Context dictates the level of formality, ranging from informal to professional. Ludwig's examples reveal its presence across diverse sources like the Independent, the Economist, and Encyclopedia Britannica, emphasizing its broad applicability and acceptance in the English language. The examples confirm that "coo" is a correct word. When using "coo", it's crucial to consider the desired tone and ensure its connotation aligns with the overall message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

murmur softly

Focuses on the sound aspect, replacing the specific sound of a pigeon with a more general expression of soft speech.

speak fondly

Shifts the focus to the manner of speaking, emphasizing affection rather than the specific vocalization.

gush over

Implies excessive enthusiasm or admiration, a more intense version of "cooing".

praise effusively

Highlights the act of giving praise in an unrestrained manner.

express delight

Replaces the specific sound with a general expression of pleasure or joy.

make a gentle sound

Emphasizes the auditory aspect, describing a soft and pleasant noise.

utter endearments

Focuses on expressing affection through loving words or phrases.

speak adoringly

Similar to 'speak fondly', but with a stronger implication of love and worship.

make a soft noise

A more generic description of producing a quiet sound.

soft utterance

Highlights the gentle and quiet nature of the spoken sound

FAQs

How can I use "coo" in a sentence?

You can use "coo" as a verb, such as "The pigeons "coo" softly in the park", or as a noun, such as "I heard the gentle "coo" of a dove".

What does it mean to "coo" at someone?

To "coo" at someone typically means to speak to them in a soft, gentle, and affectionate manner, often expressing admiration or delight.

Is "coo" appropriate in formal writing?

The appropriateness of "coo" depends on the context. While generally acceptable, consider alternatives like "murmur" or "praise" in more formal settings to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "coo" and "croon"?

"Coo" refers to a soft, murmuring sound, often associated with pigeons, or expressing affection. "Croon" typically refers to a soft, low singing style, often associated with romantic ballads. They are similar in that they are both soft sounds, but different in context and application.