cockatoo

American  

[kok-uh-too, kok-uh-too] / ˈkɒk əˌtu, ˌkɒk əˈtu /

noun

plural

cockatoos

1. any of numerous large, noisy, crested parrots of the genera Cacatua, Callocephalon, Calyptorhynchus, etc., of the Australasian region, having chiefly white plumage tinged with yellow, pink, or red: popular as a pet.

2. Australian.

   1. a person who owns and works a small farm or ranch.

   2. Slang. a lookout posted by criminals or the operators of illegal gambling games.

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cockatoo British  

/ ˌkɒkəˈtuː, ˈkɒkəˌtuː /

noun

1. any of various parrots of the genus Kakatoe and related genera, such as K. galerita ( sulphur-crested cockatoo ), of Australia and New Guinea. They have an erectile crest and most of them are light-coloured

2. a small farmer or settler

3. informal a lookout during some illegal activity

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Etymology

Origin of cockatoo

1610–20; < Dutch kaketoe < Malay kakatua, perhaps etymologizing alteration of Central Moluccan jaka any psittacine bird, by association with Malay kakak sibling, kakak tua older sibling); spelling copies cock ¹

Compare meaning

How does cockatoo compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cockatoo vs. cockatiel

Explanation

A cockatoo is a noisy, sociable type of parrot that has a moveable crest on the top of its head. Because they're smart, funny,m and showy, cockatoos are often kept as pets. Cockatoos are usually black and white, less colorful than other parrots, and they're generally bigger and louder too. One exception is the cockatiel, a type of cockatoo that's about 12 inches tall and is a very popular pet. Cockatoos are native to Australia, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, where they nest in trees and feed on seeds, insects, fruit, and flowers. Their name comes from the Malay kakatua, which may derive from the sound these noisy birds make.

Example Sentences

Why did Bayern Munich players wear cockatoo T-shirts?

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

The Franco-Belgian couturier referenced the extravagant plumage of a roseate spoonbill or the crested cockatoo alongside the humble crow, grey pigeon and magpie.

From Barron's • Jan. 27, 2026

But my wife and I have had a cockatoo for 40 years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

Obviously, Ellie is unique, but at the same time, is there something about the Goffin’s cockatoo that makes her maybe more susceptible to being able to pick up communication and things like that?

From Salon • Nov. 2, 2025

On the right Darlene with her ball gown was holding the cockatoo and smiling a starlet’s smile.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole