What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
loco
Example
The man was acting loco and talking to himself on the street. [loco: adjective]
Example
The train was powered by a powerful loco engine. [loco: noun]
Example
Let's meet at the loco taco stand for lunch. [loco: noun]
cuckoo
Example
The old lady was acting cuckoo and talking to her imaginary friend. [cuckoo: adjective]
Example
I saw a cuckoo bird in the forest this morning. [cuckoo: noun]
Example
The cuckoo clock chimed twelve times at midnight. [cuckoo: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cuckoo is more commonly used than loco in everyday English language. Cuckoo is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while loco is less common and refers to a specific type of train engine or location in Spanish-speaking countries.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between loco and cuckoo?
Both loco and cuckoo are informal words and should be avoided in formal writing or speech.