noun
cowrie
KOW-ree
Cowrie (noun) means a small sea snail with a smooth, glossy shell, especially the Indian Ocean species once used as a form of money, or the shell of this animal. Example: “She threaded cowrie shells onto a bracelet.”
noun
1
A small sea snail with a smooth, glossy shell, especially the Indian Ocean species once used as a form of money, or the shell of this animal.
"She threaded cowrie shells onto a bracelet."
"Traders once used cowries as currency along parts of the Indian Ocean coast."
"The tide left dozens of tiny cowries scattered across the sand."
How to use cowrie
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small, shiny sea shell from a type of sea snail, once used as money in some places.
When to use it
A neutral term used in everyday, historical and zoological contexts alike.
Common pairings
cowrie shell
string of cowries
cowrie shell necklace
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She threaded _____ shells onto a bracelet.
Etymology
Cowrie came into English in the mid-17th century from the Hindi word kauṛī.
Rhymes for cowrie
See all rhymes for cowrie →Frequently asked questions
What is a cowrie?
A cowrie is a small sea snail with a glossy shell, or the shell itself, especially the species common in the Indian Ocean.
Were cowrie shells really used as money?
Yes, the shells of the cowrie were historically used as a form of currency, which is why they are also known as shell money.
Is it spelled cowrie or cowry?
Both spellings are used and mean the same thing, with cowrie and cowry being alternative forms of each other.
What is the meaning of cowrie?
"cowrie" (noun) means a small sea snail with a smooth, glossy shell, especially the Indian Ocean species once used as a form of money, or the shell of this animal.
