noun
cockatoo
KAH-kuh-too/ˈkɑːkətuː/
A parrot with a crest of feathers on its head.
The cockatoo raises its crest when it hears my voice.
Etymology
Malay kakatua already named the bird. Its deeper origin is uncertain: it may imitate a sound, or it may combine words meaning “elder sibling” and “old.”
In context
my cockatoo jersey who guys will meet also loves these kind of small toys
More examples
- Two cockatoos perch on a branch above the trail.
- Our cockatoo cracks a nut with its curved beak.
- The keeper explains that cockatoos need plenty of space and attention.
Forms
cockatoo · cockatoos
Similar words
- parrot
- A broader category that includes birds without head crests.
- cockatiel
- A specific small cockatoo with a long, pointed tail.