cose: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / ArchaicArchaic, Literary, Dialectal
Quick answer
What does “cose” mean?
To make oneself snug and comfortable.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make oneself snug and comfortable; to lounge or nestle cosily.
A state of cosy, comfortable contentment, especially in a quiet, private setting. The act of settling in comfortably.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Word is essentially obsolete in standard varieties of both. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British contexts due to its historical use and potential retention in Scottish dialects.
Connotations
Conveys a strong sense of domestic comfort, quiet intimacy, and physical ease. In modern use, it would sound deliberately quaint or poetic.
Frequency
Virtually zero frequency in contemporary corpora for both varieties. Its function is entirely superseded by 'cosy up' (verb) and 'cosy' (adj/noun).
Grammar
How to Use “cose” in a Sentence
[Subject] cose + [adverbial of place][Subject] cose + down/togetherVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cose” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- In the old cottage, we would cose by the hearth after supper.
- The cat chose to cose in the armchair all afternoon.
American English
- She loved to cose with a blanket and read on rainy days. (Archaic usage)
- The children cosed together for warmth during the story.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical linguistics or literary analysis of older texts.
Everyday
Not used in contemporary speech.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cose”
- Using it in modern writing without intending an archaic tone.
- Misspelling as 'coze' (which can mean to chat cosily).
- Pronouncing it like 'close'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is an archaic verb, now largely obsolete. It is recorded in historical dictionaries and older literature.
'Cosy' (or 'cozy' in US English) is primarily an adjective or noun describing a state of comfort. 'Cose' is the corresponding, now-obsolete verb meaning 'to make oneself cosy'.
No, using it would sound very strange and old-fashioned. You should use phrases like 'cosy up', 'snuggle', or 'get comfortable' instead.
You might find it in older English literature (18th-19th century), in discussions of regional dialects (particularly Scottish or Northern English), or in comprehensive historical dictionaries like the OED.
To make oneself snug and comfortable.
Cose is usually archaic, literary, dialectal in register.
Cose: in British English it is pronounced /kəʊz/, and in American English it is pronounced /koʊz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to cose down (for the night)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'cose' as the old-fashioned verb for what you do to get 'cosy'. COSY Action = COSE.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMFORT IS WARMTH AND PROXIMITY / CONTENTMENT IS BEING ENCLOSED IN A SAFE SPACE
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'cose' be MOST appropriate today?