coo

¹ American  

[koo] / ku /

verb (used without object)

cooed, cooing

1. to utter or imitate the soft, murmuring sound characteristic of doves.

2. to murmur or talk fondly or amorously.

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verb (used with object)

cooed, cooing

1. to utter by cooing.

noun

1. a cooing sound.

coo ² American  

[koo] / ku /

interjection

British Slang.

1. (used to express surprise or amazement.)

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Coo ³ American  

[kaw-aw] / ˈkɔ ɔ /

noun

1. Italian name of Kos.

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COO ⁴ American  

1. chief operating officer.

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coo ¹ British  

/ kuː /

verb

1. (intr) (of doves, pigeons, etc) to make a characteristic soft throaty call

2. (tr) to speak in a soft murmur

3. (intr) to murmur lovingly (esp in the phrase bill and coo )

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noun

1. the sound of cooing

interjection

1. slang an exclamation of surprise, awe, etc

CoO ² British  

abbreviation

1. cost of ownership

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COO ³ British  

abbreviation

1. chief operating officer

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Other Word Forms

• cooer noun
• cooingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of coo¹

First recorded in 1660–70; imitative

Origin of coo²

First recorded in 1910–15; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Surfing YouTube for throat whistlers, Saxon came across a former circus performer named Paul “The Birdman” Manalatos who had developed a signature coo.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2025

If at all possible, you should live in a place where you don't have to constantly be looking over your shoulder in fear while you coo at the baby.

From Science Daily • Mar. 18, 2024

They coo and fuss over the infant, swap feeding and nappy-changing duties, and take turns to stay with him so one of them can get some sleep.

From BBC • Oct. 2, 2023

With their bobbing heads, clumsy gaits and dull-sounding "coo" noises, pigeons are often mistaken for being downright stupid pests.

From Salon • Jun. 11, 2023

If you act like a fish ain’t coo fresh he snatch it out of your hand like he doin’ you the favor.”

From "Sula" by Toni Morrison

Related Words

• murmur