Phrasal verb
cotton to
Definition
phrasal verb. to start liking someone or something. You use this when you begin to enjoy a person or an idea that you didn't care about before.
phrasal verb. to develop a liking for or an interest in someone or something. It functions as an inseparable unit that requires a following noun or pronoun as its object.
Examples
“I'm starting to cotton to the new neighbors.”
“At first, the dog was very nervous around strangers, but he eventually began to cotton to the regular postman.”
“Despite his initial reservations about the merger, the CEO began to cotton to the strategic advantages of a unified corporate structure.”
Examples
simple
“I'm starting to cotton to the new neighbors.”
contextual
“At first, the dog was very nervous around strangers, but he eventually began to cotton to the regular postman.”
complex
“Despite his initial reservations about the merger, the CEO began to cotton to the strategic advantages of a unified corporate structure.”
Usage
Usually describes a gradual process of becoming fond of something.
Teaching tip
Contrast with 'cotton on to' (to understand) to prevent lexical confusion.
Pitfall
I finally cottoned to the joke.
I finally cottoned on to the joke.
'Cotton to' means to like something, while 'cotton on to' means to understand it.
Phrasal verb
Particles
to
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
cotton + to + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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