What does cosset mean?
Word: Cosset
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Cosset means to look after someone with a great deal of care and comfort, sometimes more than they need.
Synonyms: pamper, mollycoddle
How do you spell cosset?
Syllables: cos - set
Tricky part: Two s's sit side by side in the middle. Pupils hear one soft sound and leave one out.
Watch out for: cozet, cozzet
Memory tip: Imagine two soft cushions placed side by side for a much-loved guest. Each one stands for an s.
Cosset in a sentence
Example 1: Aunties love to cosset the youngest child at every family lunch.
Example 2: The hotel promises to cosset its guests with warm towels and fresh fruit.
Example 3: My mother cossets her rose bushes as if they were babies.
Fun Fact
A cosset was once a lamb brought up by hand. The verb for tender care grew from that old noun.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word cosset as used in the sentence:
Our grandparents cosset the new puppy, feeding it by hand and carrying it up the stairs.
a) coddle
b) indulge
c) neglect
d) spoil
Show answer
c) neglect. To neglect is to give too little care; the other three all mean giving plenty.
Word Cookie
Choose the letters that complete the word:
c_ss_t
a) a, e
b) o, e
c) o, i
d) u, e
Show answer
b) o, e. A short o as in cot comes before the double letter, and the weak vowel after it is written e.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
cossett
a) c
b) t
c) e
d) o
Show answer
b) t. The word closes with one t only.
Spell-o-Spell
One word in the list is misspelt. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word.
1. cosset 2. plausible 3. hierarchy 4. vicinty
a) a system of ranks from highest to lowest
b) the area around a particular place
c) seeming likely to be true
d) to surround someone with tender attention
Show answer
b) the area around a particular place. Vicinity has an i before the t, so vicinty is misspelt.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A coach warns that a young player is being cosseted. What is he worried about?
a) she gets too little real challenge
b) she has no proper kit to wear
c) she trains too hard every day
d) she plays too many away matches
Show answer
a) she gets too little real challenge
2. Which sentence uses the word in its usual sense?
a) The wind cosseted the leaves across the yard.
b) The shopkeeper cosseted the prices on Monday.
c) The grandmother cosseted the sleepy baby all afternoon.
d) The driver cosseted the lorry through the narrow gate.
Show answer
c) The grandmother cosseted the sleepy baby all afternoon.
