coot

noun

ˈküt 

1

: any of various slaty-black birds (genus Fulica) of the rail family that somewhat resemble ducks and have lobed toes and the upper mandible prolonged on the forehead as a horny frontal shield

2

: any of several North American scoters

3

: a harmless simple person

broadly : fellow sense 4c

Examples of coot in a Sentence

Don't mind him—he's just a crazy old coot.

Recent Examples on the Web

The university spent the next decade restoring the property into a wetland to reduce flooding in nearby neighborhoods and create habitat for waterfowl like mallards, coots, and Canada geese. —Stephanie Hanes, Christian Science Monitor, 5 May 2025

One Bird Nest, 30 Years of Trash: A coot’s nest reveals that what humans throw away doesn’t really go away. —Gennaro Tomma, New York Times, 1 May 2025

He’s given the Heisman by a crusty old coot guarding the entrance. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025

Eurasian coots are round, black waterbirds with distinctive, chicken-like feet. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English coote; akin to Dutch koet coot

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for coot

• beaut
• boot
• bruit
• brut
• brute
• chute
• cute
• flute
• fruit
• hoot
• jute
• loot

Kids Definition

coot

noun

ˈküt 

1

: a slaty-black bird of the rail family that somewhat resembles a duck

2

: any of several North American scoters

3

: a harmless simple person