cooee: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1+Informal, regional (chiefly Australian and New Zealand).
Quick answer
What does “cooee” mean?
A long, loud, high-pitched call used in Australia to attract attention, especially in the bush.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A long, loud, high-pitched call used in Australia to attract attention, especially in the bush.
To be within hailing distance; used figuratively in the phrase 'within cooee' to mean 'nearby' or 'within reach'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, it is recognized but generally understood only due to cultural exposure to Australian media. In American English, it is highly obscure and rare, typically only known by specialists or through Australian cultural contexts.
Connotations
In the UK, it can sound quaintly colonial or evoke an Australian stereotype. In the US, it's practically unknown and carries no specific connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both UK and US general usage. Frequency is almost exclusively tied to Australian or New Zealand contexts or references thereto.
Grammar
How to Use “cooee” in a Sentence
give (sb) a cooeebe within cooee of (sth)let out a cooeeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cooee” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He tried to cooee to the hikers across the valley, but the wind stole his voice.
American English
- In the play's Australian scene, the actor had to learn to cooee convincingly.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial use.
American English
- No standard adverbial use.
adjective
British English
- No standard adjectival use.
American English
- No standard adjectival use.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. In an Australian context, a figurative use might appear: 'We're within cooee of closing the deal.'
Academic
Rare. Might appear in studies of Australian English, anthropology, or colonial history.
Everyday
Used in Australia/NZ in informal contexts, especially the idiom 'within cooee'.
Technical
No technical usage.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cooee”
- Spelling: cooey, coo-ee.
- Using it as a standard verb ('I cooeed him') outside Australian contexts may confuse.
- Mispronouncing as /kuː/ without the long 'ee' sound at the end.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It originated in Australia, based on an Aboriginal call. It is also used and understood in New Zealand. In other English varieties, it is a cultural borrowing and very rare.
Yes, but this usage is informal and regionally marked. The past tense is typically 'cooeed' (e.g., 'He cooeed for help').
Traditionally, the response is to call 'cooee' back, to establish contact and location.
It is pronounced as two distinct syllables: KOO-ee, with a long 'oo' as in 'cool' and a long 'ee' as in 'see'. The stress is on the first syllable.
A long, loud, high-pitched call used in Australia to attract attention, especially in the bush.
Cooee is usually informal, regional (chiefly australian and new zealand). in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “within cooee (of something/someone): near, close to.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'coo' (like a dove) + 'ee' (a long, high-pitched ending) – a call that carries far.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISTANCE IS AUDIBILITY (being 'within cooee' means being close enough to be heard).
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'within cooee of' primarily express?