cootie
noun
a louse, especially one affecting humans, as the body louse, head louse, or pubic louse.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It sounds comical now, but my classmates took cooties seriously.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026
These longterm friends suddenly act like the other has cooties.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2025
She gives a high-five to a boy in her class even after it is established among her friends that boys have cooties.
From New York Times ● Nov. 19, 2019
If he is responding with this level of paralysis and panic and terror and “Get your cooties away from me” every couple of months, there are guys out there who are not like that.
From Slate ● Sep. 29, 2017
“I jest got to make shore. If’n we bring cooties in here, or the seven-year itch, I ain’t go’n have no customers.”
From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns
