cocoon
gb/kəkˈun/ us/kəkˈun/
B2
English
gubó, burok, burokban él, beburkol, bebugyolál, bezárkózik, bekuckózik
NOUN
B2
1
gubó
B1
Usage pattern:
a cocoon (of [material])
The caterpillar spun a cocoon and disappeared for weeks.
A hernyó gubót szőtt, és hetekre eltűnt.
A moth emerged from its cocoon in the morning light.
Egy moly a reggeli fényben bújt elő a gubójából.
Scientists observed the insect developing inside the cocoon.
Learner examples
The caterpillar made a cocoon.
A hernyó gubót készített.
A butterfly comes out of a cocoon.
A pillangó egy gubóból bújik elő.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse cocoon (often made of silk) with chrysalis (the hard skin of some butterflies).
Meaning
insect pupa’s silk case
Collocations
spin a cocoon
|build a cocoon
|silk cocoon
|inside the cocoon
|emerge from a cocoon
|a moth cocoon
|a butterfly cocoon
|cocoon stage
|break out of the cocoon
|cocoon casing
Synonyms
chrysalis (Often used for butterflies; not always a spun silk case.)
|
pupa case (A more general biological term.)
Antonyms
adult (The fully developed insect after metamorphosis.)
Themes
nature
|animals
|biology
Definition
A silk case where a caterpillar changes into an adult insect.
A covering made by a caterpillar or similar insect, usually of silk, in which it lives as a pupa while it changes into its adult form.
NOUN
B2
2
burok
B1
Usage pattern:
a cocoon of [material/thing]
She pulled the duvet into a cocoon around her shoulders.
A paplant úgy húzta a válla köré, mint valami védőburkot.
The cables were protected by a cocoon of insulation.
A kábeleket egy szigetelő burok védte.
The fragile vase arrived in a cocoon of bubble wrap.
Learner examples
I sat in a cocoon of blankets.
Takarók puha burkában ültem.
The box was in a cocoon of plastic.
A dobozt műanyag burok vette körül.
Common mistake:
This meaning is often metaphorical; it can refer to comfort or protection, not only insects.
Meaning
protective covering around something
Collocations
a cocoon of blankets
|a cocoon of plastic
|a cocoon of insulation
|protective cocoon
|warm cocoon
|soft cocoon
|cocoon-like
|in a cocoon
|wrapped in a cocoon
|sealed in a cocoon
Synonyms
covering (More general; does not suggest being fully wrapped.)
|
shell (Usually harder and more rigid.)
|
wrap (Focuses on the material used to cover.)
Antonyms
exposure (The state of being unprotected and open to the elements.)
Themes
daily_life
|materials
|safety
Definition
A covering that wraps around something to protect it.
A soft or protective covering that wraps around something to keep it safe or warm.
NOUN
C1
3
burok
B2
burokban él
B2
Usage pattern:
live in a cocoon; a cocoon of [comfort/privilege]
After the move, he retreated into a cocoon and stopped seeing friends.
A költözés után visszahúzódott a saját burkába, és nem találkozott többé a barátaival.
Working remotely can create a cocoon if you never leave the house.
A távmunka könnyen egyfajta burokba zárhat, ha az ember sosem mozdul ki otthonról.
Growing up in a cocoon of privilege, she struggled to understand everyday costs.
Learner examples
I don’t want to live in a cocoon.
Nem akarok burokban élni.
He stayed in a cocoon at home.
Otthon maradt, mintha egy burokban élne.
Common mistake:
Often has a slightly critical tone, suggesting someone is too sheltered or disconnected.
Meaning
safe, isolated way of living
Collocations
live in a cocoon
|stay in a cocoon
|a cocoon of comfort
|a cocoon of privilege
|a cocoon of routine
|burst the cocoon
|escape the cocoon
|a social cocoon
|a digital cocoon
|a protective cocoon
Synonyms
bubble (Very common metaphor for being sheltered from reality.)
|
shell (Suggests emotional withdrawal or defensiveness.)
|
comfort zone (Focuses on avoiding challenge rather than isolation itself.)
Antonyms
engagement (Active involvement with other people or the wider world.)
|
openness (Willingness to experience new ideas, people, or risks.)
Themes
emotions
|society
|lifestyle
Definition
A safe situation that keeps you away from the outside world.
A situation or way of life in which someone is sheltered from change, risk, or outside influences, often resulting in isolation.
VERB
C1
4
beburkol
B2
bebugyolál
B1
Usage pattern:
cocoon [someone/something] (in/with [material])
They cocooned the statue in foam before shipping it.
Szállítás előtt habanyaggal teljesen körbeburkolták a szobrot.
She cocooned the baby in a warm blanket.
Meleg takaróba bugyolálta a babát.
The new windows cocoon the apartment from street noise.
Learner examples
I cocooned the glass in bubble wrap.
Buborékfóliába burkoltam a poharat.
She cocooned herself in a blanket.
Takaróba bugyolálta magát.
Common mistake:
As a verb, it often takes an object (cocoon the baby in blankets), or is used in passive (be cocooned in).
Meaning
wrap or enclose for protection
Collocations
cocooned in blankets
|cocoon a baby
|cocoon the equipment
|cocoon the parcel
|cocooned in foam
|cocooned in plastic
|carefully cocooned
|fully cocooned
|cocooned for transport
|cocooned from the cold
Synonyms
wrap (More general; less sense of complete enclosure.)
|
encase (Often implies a firm or rigid covering.)
|
swaddle (Specifically wrapping a baby snugly.)
Antonyms
unwrap (Remove a covering.)
|
expose (Leave without protection or covering.)
Themes
daily_life
|safety
|materials
Definition
To cover someone or something completely to protect it.
To wrap or enclose someone or something completely, especially to keep them safe, warm, or protected.
VERB
C1
5
bezárkózik
B2
bekuckózik
B1
Usage pattern:
cocoon (yourself) (from [people/the world]); cocoon yourself in [place/thing]
After the breakup, she cocooned herself from friends for a while.
A szakítás után egy időre bezárkózott a barátai elől.
On rainy weekends, we tend to cocoon at home and watch movies.
Esős hétvégéken hajlamosak vagyunk bekuckózni otthon, és filmeket nézni.
He cocooned in his office to finish the report.
Learner examples
I cocoon at home on Sundays.
Vasárnaponként otthon szoktam bekuckózni.
She cocooned herself in her room.
Bezárkózott a szobájába.
Common mistake:
Often used reflexively (cocoon yourself) or in passive descriptions (was cocooned at home).
Meaning
withdraw into safety and privacy
Collocations
cocoon yourself at home
|cocoon yourself from the world
|cocoon at home
|cocoon in your room
|cocooned away
|cocooned from reality
|cocooned in routine
|cocooned in comfort
|cocooned with family
|cocooned indoors
Synonyms
retreat (Focuses on moving away from others, not necessarily on being protected.)
|
withdraw (Often implies emotional distancing.)
|
hole up (More informal; suggests staying hidden somewhere.)
Antonyms
socialize (Spend time with other people.)
|
venture out (Leave a safe place and go into the outside world.)
Themes
emotions
|lifestyle
|relationships
Definition
To stay away from other people in a safe, private place.
To withdraw from other people or from normal activity and stay in a protected, private situation.
Grammar
Dictionary form
cocoon
IPA
GB/kəkˈun/
US/kəkˈun/
Syllables & stress
co - coon (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (coon)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: cocoon
- Plural: cocoons
Verb
- Base: cocoon
- 3rd Person Singular: cocoons
- Present Participle: cocooning
- Past: cocooned
Word family
Forms
cocoons
noun
cocooning
verb
cocooned
verb
Expressions
a cocoon of
1/ə kəkˈun əv/
fixed phrase
surrounding layer of something
A layer around something, often for protection.
Examples
- A cocoon of silence settled over the room after the announcement.
- He lived in a cocoon of comfort and didn’t notice the problems outside.
- The campsite felt safe in a cocoon of trees.
Learner examples
- I sat in a cocoon of blankets.
be cocooned in
1/bˈi kˈoʊkˈund ˈɪn/
fixed phrase
be wrapped and protected
To be covered all around by something.
Examples
- She was cocooned in blankets on the sofa.
- The guests were cocooned in luxury at the resort.
- The seeds are cocooned in a protective gel.
Learner examples
- I was cocooned in a warm blanket.
cocoon yourself in
1/kəkˈun jʊɹsˈɛlf ˈɪn/
fixed phrase
wrap yourself for comfort
To cover yourself with something warm and soft.
Examples
- She cocooned herself in a hoodie and read on the couch.
- On cold evenings, I cocoon myself in a blanket and drink tea.
- He cocooned himself in work to avoid thinking about the problem.
Learner examples
- I cocoon myself in blankets.
in a cocoon
1/ˈɪn ə kəkˈun/
fixed phrase
protected and cut off
Safe and comfortable, but not connected to the outside world.
Examples
- During exam week, she stayed in a cocoon and ignored her phone.
- He grew up in a cocoon and knew little about life outside his town.
- With the curtains closed and music on, the room felt like a cocoon.
Learner examples
- I feel in a cocoon at home.
- He lives in a cocoon.