Dictionary
1cuckoo
noun cuck·oo \ˈkü-(ˌ)kü, ˈku̇-\
: a type of bird that lays its eggs in the nests of other birds and that has a call that sounds like its name
plural cuckoos
Full Definition of CUCKOO
1
: a largely grayish-brown European bird (Cuculus canorus) that is a parasite given to laying its eggs in the nests of other birds which hatch them and rear the offspring; broadly : any of a large family (Cuculidae of the order Cuculiformes) to which this bird belongs
2
: the call of the cuckoo
3
: a silly or slightly crackbrained person
See cuckoo defined for English-language learners
See cuckoo defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Illustration of CUCKOO
Origin of CUCKOO
Middle English cuccu, of imitative origin
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to CUCKOO
- Synonyms
- berk [British], booby, charlie (also charley) [British], fool, ding-a-ling, dingbat, ding-dong, dipstick, doofus [slang], featherhead, git [British], goose, half-wit, jackass, lunatic, mooncalf, nincompoop, ninny, ninnyhammer, nit [chiefly British], nitwit, nut, nutcase, simp, simpleton, turkey, yo-yo
- Antonyms
- sobersides
Rhymes with CUCKOO
accrue, achoo, adieu, ado, Agnew, aircrew, airscrew, anew, askew, babu, Baku, bamboo, battu, battue, bayou, bedew, beshrew, bestrew, bijou, boo-boo, boubou, brand-new, breakthrough, burgoo, cachou, can-do, canoe, caoutchouc, Carew, Cebu, Chonju, construe, Corfu, corkscrew, coypu, CQ, curfew, debut, Depew, doo-doo, ecu, endue, ensue, eschew, floor-through, fondue, fordo, Gansu, Gentoo, Gifu, goo-goo, GQ, ground crew, gumshoe, guru, hairdo, hereto, Hindu, home brew, Honshu, horseshoe, how-to, HQ, Hutu, igloo, imbrue, imbue, IQ, jackscrew, K2, Kansu, karoo, Karoo, kazoo, Khufu, kung fu, Kwangju, leadscrew, lean-to, long view, make-do, Matthew, me-too, mildew, milieu, miscue, misdo, muumuu, non-U, old-shoe, one-two, on view, outdo, perdu, Peru, poilu, prau, preview, pursue, purview, ragout, redo, renew, Renfrew, review, revue, rough-hew, run-through, sandshoe, Sardou, see-through, set-to, setscrew, shampoo, sinew, skiddoo, snafu, snowshoe, soft-shoe, span-new, subdue, surtout, taboo, Taegu, tattoo, thank-you, thereto, thumbscrew, to-do, too-too, tree shrew, undo, undue, unglue, unscrew, untrue, vatu, vendue, venue, virtu, voodoo, wahoo, walk-through, wherethrough, whereto, who's who, worldview, yahoo, yoo-hoo
2cuckoo
verb
Definition of CUCKOO
transitive verb
: to repeat monotonously as a cuckoo does its call
First Known Use of CUCKOO
1648
3cuckoo
adjective
: silly or crazy
: very enthusiastic
Full Definition of CUCKOO
1
: of, relating to, or resembling the cuckoo
2
: deficient in sense or intelligence : silly
See cuckoo defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CUCKOO
1627
Related to CUCKOO
- Synonyms
- balmy, barmy [chiefly British], bats, batty, bedlam, bonkers, brainsick, bughouse [slang], certifiable, crackbrained, cracked, crackers, crackpot, cranky [dialect], crazed, crazy, insane, daffy, daft, demented, deranged, fruity [slang], gaga, haywire, kooky (also kookie), loco [slang], loony (also looney), loony tunes (or looney tunes), lunatic, mad, maniacal (also maniac), mental, meshuga (or meshugge also meshugah or meshuggah), moonstruck, non compos mentis, nuts, nutty, psycho, psychotic, scatty [chiefly British], screwy, unbalanced, unhinged, unsound, wacko (also whacko), wacky (also whacky), wud [chiefly Scottish]
- Antonyms
- balanced, compos mentis, sane, sound, uncrazy
CUCKOO Defined for Kids
cuckoo
noun cuck·oo \ˈkü-kü, ˈku̇-\
plural cuckoos
Definition of CUCKOO for Kids
1
: a grayish brown European bird that lays eggs in the nests of other birds which hatch and raise them
2
: the call of the cuckoo
Learn More About CUCKOO
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: cuckoo beePrevious Word in the Dictionary: cuckoldryAll Words Near: cuckoo
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up cuckoo? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).