# cookie

/ˈkʊki/ (US) · /kˈʊki/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cookie
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. baked snack

noun · CEFR A1 · American English

a small, flat, sweet cake that is usually crisp or soft.

For teachers: a small, flat, baked confection, typically sweet and often containing ingredients such as chocolate chips or nuts.

- He baked a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies for the party.
- The bakery specializes in artisanal cookies made with organic flour and locally sourced honey.

Usage: In British English, 'biscuit' is the general term, while 'cookie' often refers specifically to larger, softer varieties with inclusions like chocolate chips.

### 2. internet data

noun · CEFR B1 · Technical

a small file that a website puts on your computer to remember your settings or what you like.

For teachers: a small piece of data sent from a website and stored on the user's computer by the web browser while the user is browsing.

- You need to enable cookies in your browser to stay logged into the site.
- Modern privacy regulations require websites to obtain explicit consent before deploying non-essential tracking cookies on a visitor's device.

Usage: Usually used in the plural when referring to browser settings.

### 3. a person

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a person of a particular type, usually used with an adjective like 'tough' or 'smart'.

For teachers: a person of a specified kind, typically used in idiomatic expressions to describe character.

- My grandmother is one tough cookie; she still lives alone at ninety.
- The lead negotiator was known for being a sharp cookie who could spot a hidden clause from a mile away.

Teaching tip: Almost always paired with an adjective (e.g., 'tough cookie', 'smart cookie').

### 4. to track a user

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to send a small data file to a user's computer to track their activity.

For teachers: to store a cookie on a user's computer or to track a user via such data.

- The site cookies every visitor to show them personalized ads later.
- The marketing firm was criticized for its aggressive strategy of cookying users across multiple third-party domains without clear disclosure.

## Examples

- I ate a chocolate chip cookie with my milk.
- Most websites ask for your permission to store a cookie so they can remember your login details and preferences.
- While the physical cookie remains a staple of confectionery, its digital namesake has become a central point of debate regarding online privacy and the tracking of consumer behavior across the internet.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.