What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cootie
Example
Don't touch that, it's got cooties! [cooties: noun]
Example
I don't want to sit next to him, he's got cooties. [cooties: plural noun]
Example
She caught a cootie from her friend at school. [cootie: singular noun]
louse
Example
She had to use a special shampoo to get rid of the lice. [lice: plural noun]
Example
He's a louse for cheating on his girlfriend. [louse: noun]
Example
The party was a lousy experience, I wish I hadn't gone. [lousy: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Louse is a more common term than cootie in everyday language. Louse has a broader range of meanings and is used by people of all ages, while cootie is primarily used by children and has a more limited scope.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cootie and louse?
Neither cootie nor louse are formal terms, and both are considered informal and colloquial. However, louse may be seen as slightly more formal due to its wider range of meanings and usage.
