cooing

cooing — verb

1. to produce the gentle, repeated murmuring call typical of doves and pigeons

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to produce the gentle, repeated murmuring call typical of doves and pigeons

例句

Hana smiled, listening to the doves cooing on the rain-wet railing outside.

A wood pigeon sat cooing on the chimney, its call rolling across the rooftops.

collocation: sat cooing — describes the bird's position and vocalisation together

同義詞
  • murmur

    a general low, continuous sound; not specific to birds

  • warble

    a melodious bird song, higher-pitched and more varied than cooing

反義詞

文法句型

[bird] + coo

用法筆記

Used mainly of doves and pigeons. Other bird sounds use different verbs: sing, chirp, squawk, or hoot.

常見錯誤

❌The eagle cooed overhead as it circled the cliff.
✅The eagle screeched overhead as it circled the cliff.
💡Eagles and other large birds do not coo; cooing is the soft sound made only by doves and pigeons.

2. to talk in a quiet, tender voice, especially when showing love or affection for

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to talk in a quiet, tender voice, especially when showing love or affection for someone

例句

Amir lifted the crying baby and cooed until she fell asleep in his arms.

The new mother cooed at her sleeping daughter, stroking the tiny fingers.

cooed at + person — expressing tender affection to someone

同義詞
  • murmur

    speaking softly but not necessarily with affection; often neutral or private

  • whisper

    very quiet speech, usually secretive rather than loving

  • croon

    soft singing or speaking in a sentimental, musical way

反義詞
  • bark

    to shout in a rough, commanding way

  • shout

    to speak very loudly

文法句型

coo + at + person

coo + direct speech

coo + that-clause

用法筆記

Commonly used with direct speech; the subject is usually a person speaking to a baby, a romantic partner, or someone they adore. Distinguish from sense 1 (SOFT BIRD CALL), which describes a bird sound.

常見錯誤

❌The boss cooed instructions to the staff.
✅The boss murmured instructions to the staff.
💡Cooing suggests romantic or parental tenderness, not a neutral soft tone used in a workplace.