Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

cocoon

/kəˈkuːn/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.08 in modern English

Syllables: co-coon
IPA: /kəˈkuːn/

10

Scrabble Score

6

Letters

2

Syllables

3

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The silky case spun by the larvae of some insects in which they metamorphose, protecting the pupa within.

noun

Any similar protective case.

verb

To envelop in a protective case.

Transitive verb

verb

To withdraw into such a case.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

"The bad guys generally don’t like to get on trains, because they’re trapped on a moving cocoon that the CTA controls."
"Vern grabbed the throw draped over the back of the sofa and cocooned herself within it."

Etymology

From French cocon, a diminutive of coque (“shell”).

Usage

Inflected Forms

cocoons (plural) cocoons (present, singular) cocooning (participle, present) cocooned (participle, past) cocooned (past)

Derived Forms

carcoon cocooner cocoonery cocoonet cocoonish cocoonlike decocoon uncocoon

Phrases

brood cocoon jet cocoon

Homonyms

kokoon

Rhymes With

soon june afternoon moon tune immune noon cartoon balloon spoon typhoon platoon

Questions

How do you pronounce cocoon?: The recorded pronunciation is /kəˈkuːn/.
What does cocoon mean?: The silky case spun by the larvae of some insects in which they metamorphose, protecting the pupa within.
Where does cocoon come from?: From French cocon, a diminutive of coque (“shell”).

How to pronounce cocoon

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “cocoon”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/kəˈkuːn/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “cocoon”.
Repeat and practice — Say “cocoon” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.