Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small, flat, sweet baked treat: A cookie is a small, sweet cake, typically round, flat, and crisp or chewy, often containing chocolate chips, nuts, or other ingredients.
   • A piece of data stored by a web browser: In computing, a cookie is a small text file placed on a user's device by a website to remember information about the user or their visit.
   • (Informal, dated) A person: In informal, dated slang, "cookie" can refer to a person, often implying they are attractive or pleasing in some way (e.g., "a smart cookie").

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Food):
  • She baked chocolate chip cookies for the party.
  • Would you like a cookie with your coffee?
• Noun (Computing):
  • The website uses cookies to remember your login preferences.
  • You can clear your browser's cookies in the settings menu.
• Noun (Informal, Person):
  • He's a tough cookie; he never gives up easily. (This is a common idiom.)

Advanced Usage

• "That's the way the cookie crumbles": An idiom meaning "that's how things happen; that's life," often used to accept an unfortunate but unchangeable situation.
  • I didn't get the job, but that's the way the cookie crumbles.
• "Cookie-cutter" (Adjective): Used to describe something mass-produced, lacking originality or individuality.
  • The new housing development is full of cookie-cutter homes.

Variants and Related Words

• Cookies (plural noun): The standard plural form for all meanings.
• Cookie jar (noun): A container for storing cookies.
  • The cookies are in the cookie jar.
• Cookie sheet (noun): A flat metal tray used for baking cookies.
  • Place the dough on a cookie sheet.

Synonyms

• Biscuit: The common British English term for the sweet baked treat (Note: In American English, "biscuit" refers to a soft, leavened bread roll).
• Web cookie, browser cookie, HTTP cookie: Terms for the computing data file.
• Person (in idioms): Tough cookie, smart cookie.

Related Phrases

• Tough cookie: An idiom for a person who is very resilient, determined, or not easily defeated.
  • After surviving that ordeal, she proved she's a tough cookie.
• Smart cookie: An idiom for an intelligent or clever person.
  • You figured it out already? You're a smart cookie!

Idioms

• That's the way the cookie crumbles: As explained in Advanced Usage.
• To be a tough/smart cookie: As explained in Related Phrases.

Noun

1. a short line of text that a web site puts on your computer's hard drive when you access the web site
2. the cook on a ranch or at a camp
3. any of various small flat sweet cakes (`biscuit' is the British term)