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

In areas with such beetle eaters as butcherbirds and cuckoo-shrikes, the researchers checked for beak marks indicating bird attacks.

From Science News

It also cannot discern between certain species that look alike, such as cuckoos and sparrowhawks.

From Popular-Science

Hashtag patriots are cobbling together a legend around Maricopa that fits into the cuckoo mythology of Trumpism.

From Washington Post

I want the rebirth, the renewal, the rejuvenation, the dewdrops and showers, the first cuckoos and ascendant larks, the dooryard lilacs and budding twigs.

From Washington Post

We understand—who would want to give up the angelic Keita, even if it means raising a cuckoo?

From The Daily Beast

She Said: Jace, their daughter was on the verge of another home invasion at the hands of Cuckoo Disfigured Larry.

From The Daily Beast

He benefited, of course, from an opposition party that went a little cuckoo.

From The Daily Beast

From the point of view of the Notre Dame football team, that had to be something of a relief: She was an unbalanced cuckoo clock.

From The Daily Beast

Among the variety of birds, several black cockatoos and the pheasant cuckoo were seen.

From Project Gutenberg

A lovely bracket of carved wood fixed to the wall held a cheap cuckoo-clock from Switzerland.

From Project Gutenberg

Suddenly he takes out his pipe, plays "cuckoo" to himself very solemnly, and is immensely relieved thereby.

From Project Gutenberg

Soon a cuckoo called from the distance and in a few moments the caravan was ready to move on.

From Project Gutenberg

Cuckoo Peter has read in the holy books that 'the goods of the sinner are reserved for the just!'

From Project Gutenberg