What does COOLY mean?

Definition of Cooly

Cooly is a noun that refers to a laborer, especially one from China or India, who was brought to another country to work on a plantation or in other manual labor jobs.

Pronunciations of Cooly

• US: /ˈkuːli/
• UK: /ˈkuːli/

Origin and Usage of Cooly

The word cooly originated in the 17th century, and was originally used to describe an unskilled laborer who was brought from India or China to work on plantations or in other manual labor jobs in the colonies. The word was later used to describe any unskilled laborer, regardless of their country of origin.

Synonyms of Cooly

Some synonyms of cooly include laborer, worker, employee, and hired hand.

Related Words to Cooly

Some related 5 letter words to cooly include cools, colly, cloys, and coyly.

Example Sentences with Cooly

• Many coolies were brought to the United States to work on the railroads in the 19th century.
• The plantation owner hired coolies to pick his crops.
• The coolies were paid very little for their hard work.