cootie
/ˈkuːti/
noun
- A child's term for a small imaginary germ or insect that can be passed from person to person by touching, often used in games or teasing.
- The kids screamed and ran away when Tommy said he had cooties.
- She refused to sit next to her brother because she was afraid of catching his cooties.
- On the playground, someone yelled 'cooties!' and everyone started laughing.
- A slang term for a louse or other small parasitic insect, especially in informal or historical use.
- Grandpa said he remembered when kids used to trade cootie catchers at school.
- The soldiers joked about picking up cooties in the old barracks.
- After the camping trip, they checked each other for cooties and ticks.
Synonyms