noun
coot
koot
noun
1
A dark waterbird with a distinctive white patch on its forehead, often seen on lakes and ponds.
"A pair of coots paddled across the pond."
2
(informal, usually "old coot") An eccentric or foolish person, especially an old man.
"The old coot next door still won't use a mobile phone."
How to Use Coot
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA type of water bird, or informally, a cranky or odd old person.
Common pairings
old coot
a crazy old coot
Word Forms
coots plural, coots plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “coot”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
A pair of _____ paddled across the pond.
Etymology
From Middle English cote, of uncertain origin — possibly borrowed from Middle Dutch coet, the same word that gives Dutch koet.