cookie
cookie
Pronunciation
/ˈkʊki/.
First Syllable (/kʊ/):
/k/: Voiceless velar stop (like the "k" in "cat")
/ʊ/: Near-close, near-back rounded vowel (like the "oo" in "book")
Second Syllable (/ki/):
/k/: Voiceless velar stop (like the "k" in "kit")
/i/: Close front unrounded vowel (like the "ee" in "see")
Word Form Variations
Singular: cookie
Plural: cookies
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
1. A small, flat, sweet baked good, typically made with flour, sugar, eggs, and fat, often containing chocolate chips, nuts, or other flavorings. * Synonyms: biscuit (especially British English), wafer (for very thin varieties), treat, confection * Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for a food item; conceptually, one might consider "savory" or "unsweetened food," but these are not lexical antonyms)
2. (Informal) A person, especially one who is endearing, charming, or displays a particular characteristic. * Example: "She's a tough cookie to crack." or "He's such a sweet cookie." * Synonyms: darling, sweetheart, character, individual * Antonyms: (Context-dependent, but generally no direct antonym. One might consider "unpleasant person" or "boring individual" in a given context.)
3. (Computing) A small piece of data sent from a website and stored in a user's web browser while the user is Browse that website. * Synonyms: web cookie, HTTP cookie, browser cookie, tracking data * Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; this is a specific technical term.)
Adjective (Informal, derived from Noun 1)
1. (Of an item or a place) Visually appealing due to its cuteness, charm, or miniature size, often evoking a sense of quaintness. * Example: "What a cookie little cottage!" * Synonyms: cute, charming, quaint, adorable, petite * Antonyms: grand, vast, ugly, unappealing
Verb (Very Informal/Slang, derived from Noun 3)
1. (To cookie) To leave a digital "breadcrumb" or identifier on a user's device, typically for tracking or personalization purposes. * Example: "The website will cookie your browser to remember your preferences." * Synonyms: track, mark, tag, identify (digitally) * Antonyms: untrack, clear (cookies)
Examples of Use
Books
"When you're trying to stop eating sugar, that first week is always the toughest. Your body literally screams for a cookie." (From The Whole30: The 30-Day Guide to Total Health and Food Freedom by Melissa Hartwig Urban and Dallas Hartwig, 2014)
"She was a tough cookie, alright. Didn't let anything get her down for long." (From The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, 2020)
Newspapers
"Local baker wins award for her innovative take on the classic chocolate chip cookie." (Headline from The Daily Nation)
"Privacy advocates warn about the increasing use of third-party cookies for targeted advertising without explicit user consent." (Article from The New York Times)
Online Publications
"How to Block Third-Party Cookies in Chrome, Firefox, and Safari" (Article title on Wired.com, a technology news website)
"This Is the Secret Ingredient to Making the Best Sugar Cookies Ever" (Recipe title on Allrecipes.com, a popular cooking website)
"Why Your Favorite Website Asks About Cookies: Understanding GDPR and Privacy" (Explainer article on Mozilla.org/blog, related to web browsers and privacy)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Film: "That's the way the cookie crumbles." (A common idiomatic expression used in various films and television shows, often signifying acceptance of an unchangeable outcome. Forrest Gump (1994) features a famous instance.)
Television Series: "Can you give me a cookie, please?" (A common line spoken by a child character in a family-oriented sitcom, like Modern Family or Bluey.)
Music: "Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?" (A line from the traditional children's song, "Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar?")
Video Games: "Collecting all the power-up cookies unlocks a bonus level." (A typical objective in many platformer or casual mobile games, where "cookies" function as collectibles.)
Social Media (e.g., Twitter/X): "Just baked a fresh batch of cookies – my kitchen smells amazing! #baking #cookies #comfortfood" (A common personal post on a platform like Instagram or X.)
General Public Discourse
"My grandma makes the best oatmeal raisin cookies." (A common personal statement in everyday conversation.)
"Have you accepted the cookies on this website?" (A frequent prompt encountered by users on almost any website they visit for the first time, reflecting GDPR and privacy regulations.)
"He's a tough cookie; he'll get through this." (A supportive statement made about someone facing a challenge in casual conversation.)
(At a bake sale) "Would you like a chocolate chip cookie or a peanut butter cookie?" (Common interaction when offering choices of baked goods.)
10 Famous Quotes Using Cookie
"That's the way the cookie crumbles." (A common idiom, popularized in various media, including The Apartment (1960) and Forrest Gump (1994))
"A tough cookie to crumble." (Idiomatic expression, signifying a resilient or challenging person, widely used in common parlance)
"I'm a cookie, not a cupcake." (Often attributed to children's media or casual self-description, emphasizing simplicity or lack of fuss)
"Give a man a cookie and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to bake cookies and you feed him for a lifetime." (A playful twist on the proverb "Give a man a fish...", widely adapted for various topics)
"Curiosity is a great cookie." (A metaphorical use, implying that curiosity is a delightful or satisfying thing; source widely attributed to various authors or used as a general expression)
"He's a sweet cookie." (A common informal expression of endearment or approval for a person)
"Don't cry over spilled milk, or broken cookies." (A twist on the well-known idiom, often used humorously or to convey a similar message of not dwelling on minor misfortunes)
"My favorite kind of cookie is the one that's in my hand." (A common humorous or relatable quote about the simple joy of eating cookies)
"Life is like a box of cookies... you never know what you're gonna get, but it's probably delicious." (A lighthearted adaptation of the famous line from Forrest Gump (1994), replacing "chocolates" with "cookies")
"Every cookie is a story." (A whimsical, metaphorical quote, often found in culinary contexts or food blogs, suggesting each baked good has a unique character or history)
Etymology
The word "cookie" has a pretty sweet history, and it actually comes from a Dutch origin!
It started with the Dutch word "koekje" (pronounced something like "KOOK-yeh"). In Dutch, "koek" means "cake," and the "-je" ending is a diminutive, meaning "little." So, "koekje" literally translates to "little cake."
The first known use of "cookie" in English dates back to 1703. At that time, it was used to describe those small, flat, often sweet baked goods that we still call cookies today. The meaning hasn't really changed much since then – it was, and still is, a small baked treat.
So, when the Dutch settlers came to America, they brought their language and their "koekjes" with them, and over time, the word evolved into the "cookie" we know and love today!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Cookie
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "cookie":
That's the way the cookie crumbles. (An idiom meaning that's just how things turn out, often used when accepting an unchangeable or unfortunate situation.)
A tough cookie. (An idiom referring to a person who is strong, resilient, or not easily intimidated.)
Smart cookie. (An idiom for someone who is intelligent or clever.)
Sweet cookie. (An affectionate term for a kind or pleasant person.)
Cookie-cutter. (An adjective describing something lacking originality or individuality, made to a standard pattern.)
To go cookie-cutter. (A verb phrase meaning to make something conform to a standard, unoriginal pattern.)
To crumble like a cookie. (A phrase describing something that falls apart easily or quickly.)
Cookie jar. (Refers to a container for cookies, often used in the idiom "hand in the cookie jar" for someone caught doing something illicit.)
To have a hand in the cookie jar. (An idiom meaning to be caught stealing or doing something wrong.)
To throw a cookie. (An original phrase, perhaps meaning to offer a small, appealing incentive.)
Cookie monster. (A popular culture reference, but also used informally for someone who loves to eat cookies.)
To get your cookies. (A very informal, original phrase meaning to get what you want or deserve, possibly in a negative sense.)
Cookie trail. (A less common, perhaps original phrase, akin to a "paper trail" but for digital or online activities, referencing web cookies.)
Worth every cookie. (An original phrase meaning something is highly valuable or enjoyable, like a delicious cookie.)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of cookie from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
