coorie: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowInformal, chiefly Scottish dialectal.
Quick answer
What does “coorie” mean?
To nestle, snuggle, or cuddle close for warmth or comfort.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To nestle, snuggle, or cuddle close for warmth or comfort.
To huddle or settle down comfortably in a small, snug space; in Scottish contexts, also denotes a slow, cautious movement or a general feeling of cosiness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Commonly used in Scotland and understood in parts of Northern England. Almost entirely unknown in general American English.
Connotations
In British (Scottish) usage: positive, warm, homely, intimate. In American usage: if encountered at all, likely seen as an exotic, literary, or niche word.
Frequency
High regional frequency in Scotland; extremely low-to-zero frequency in North America outside of specific cultural contexts or literature.
Grammar
How to Use “coorie” in a Sentence
intransitive (coorie in/doon)intransitive + preposition (coorie into a corner)intransitive + adverb (coorie up close)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coorie” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Let's coorie doon and watch the film.
- The cat cooried into the warm laundry basket.
- We cooried in by the stove as the storm raged outside.
American English
- (In a Scottish-themed story) The travellers cooried up under their plaids for the night.
- (Explaining the term) It means to coorie, or snuggle, into a warm spot.
adjective
British English
- It was a coorie wee bothy, perfect for the night.
- She created a coorie nook in the attic.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rarely used outside of linguistic or Scottish cultural studies.
Everyday
Common in everyday Scottish speech for describing getting cosy.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coorie”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Spelling it as 'curry', 'courie', or 'cory'.
- Using it transitively (e.g., 'He corried her' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is primarily a Scottish dialectal word. It may be understood by some English speakers, especially in the north of England, but it is not part of Standard English.
Yes, in Scots, it can be a noun meaning a cuddle or a snug position (e.g., 'Have a wee coorie'). However, the verb form is more common.
'Cuddle' focuses more on the act of holding affectionately. 'Coorie' emphasizes the state of being snug, cosy, and often sheltered, with warmth as a key component. It can be done alone (e.g., coorie into a chair).
Both 'cooried' and 'cooried' are accepted. Example: 'We cooried down for the night.'
To nestle, snuggle, or cuddle close for warmth or comfort.
Coorie is usually informal, chiefly scottish dialectal. in register.
Coorie: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʊəri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʊri/ or /ˈkɔːri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “coorie doon (settle down for the night)”
- “coorie in for the winter (prepare for a long, cosy period indoors)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COterie of friends who need to COzy up together to stay warm – that's to COORIE.
Conceptual Metaphor
WARMTH IS CLOSENESS / COMFORT IS SHELTER
Practice
Quiz
In which regional variety of English is 'coorie' a common, everyday word?