cuckoo

[ koo-koo, kook-oo ]

noun

, plural cuck·oos.

1. a common European bird, Cuculus canorus, of the family Cuculidae, noted for its characteristic call and its brood parasitism.
2. any of several other birds of the family Cuculidae.
3. the call of the cuckoo, or an imitation of it.
4. Slang. a crazy, silly, or foolish person; simpleton.

verb (used without object)

, cuck·ooed, cuck·oo·ing.

1. to utter the call of the cuckoo or an imitation of it.

verb (used with object)

, cuck·ooed, cuck·oo·ing.

1. to repeat monotonously.

adjective

1. Slang. crazy; silly; foolish.
2. of, relating to, or like a cuckoo.

cuckoo

/ ˈkʊkuː /

noun

1. any bird of the family Cuculidae, having pointed wings, a long tail, and zygodactyl feet: order Cuculiformes. Many species, including the European cuckoo ( Cuculus canorus ), lay their eggs in the nests of other birds and have a two-note call
2. informal.
   an insane or foolish person

adjective

1. informal.
   insane or foolish

interjection

1. an imitation or representation of the call of a cuckoo

verb

1. tr to repeat over and over
2. intr to make the sound imitated by the word cuckoo

Word History and Origins

Origin of cuckoo¹

1200–50; Middle English cuc ( c ) u, cuccuk ( e ) (imitative); compare Latin cucūlus, French coucou, German Kuckuk, Dutch koekoek, Modern Greek koûko

Word History and Origins

Origin of cuckoo¹

C13: from Old French cucu, of imitative origin; related to German kuckuck, Latin cucūlus, Greek kokkux

Idioms and Phrases

see cloud-cuckoo land .

Example Sentences

And yet California has massive rates of poverty, cuckoo housing costs that are forcing people to flee, and a shameful number of homeless people, many suffering from addiction, mental illness or both.

From Los Angeles Times

More than that, though, he continued, music is Gretchen’s “philosophy” as she grieves her mother and her most reliable “weapon” against the cuckoo people, whose shrill call notably juxtaposes Gretchen’s low-toned theme.

From Los Angeles Times

She was a victim of cuckooing - the term used when someone's house is taken over for criminal activity, including dealing, storing or using drugs.

From BBC

“I’m reflecting on my life and the past couple of weeks have been cuckoo,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

These efforts have helped protect a refuge for birds including willow flycatchers and yellow-billed cuckoos.

From Los Angeles Times