How Do You Spell COTTON TO?

Pronunciation: [kˈɒtən tuː] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "cotton to" can be easily explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The first syllable, "cot", is pronounced /kɑt/, with a hard 'c' sound and a long 'o'. The second syllable, "ton", is pronounced /tɑn/, with a hard 't' sound and a short 'o'. When spoken quickly, the two syllables blend together to form the word "cotton". The addition of the preposition "to" at the end of the word simply adds the sound /tu/ to the end of the word.

COTTON TO Meaning and Definition

  1. Cotton to is a colloquial English phrase that means to develop a fondness or affinity for someone or something, especially after being initially hesitant or resistant. This expression is commonly used to describe a process of gradually warming up to an idea, person, or situation, and eventually accepting or embracing it.

    The term "cotton to" has its roots in American English, and it derives from the use of "cotton" as a verb meaning "to take a liking to" or "to grow to appreciate." The word "cotton" in this context is thought to be related to the idea of the fabric cotton being soft and comfortable, thus metaphorically representing the formation of positive feelings.

    When someone "cottons to" something, it implies that they have had a change of heart or opinion, often as a result of becoming more familiar with it or experiencing its positive qualities over time. It is a flexible phrase that can be used in various contexts, such as expressing how someone may develop an interest in a new hobby, become fond of a particular style of music, or even warm up to an individual they were initially uncertain about.

    Overall, "cotton to" is a figurative expression that conveys the idea of gradually embracing or growing to like someone or something, usually after some level of hesitation or resistance.

Common Misspellings for COTTON TO

  • xotton to
  • votton to
  • fotton to
  • dotton to
  • citton to
  • cktton to
  • cltton to
  • cptton to
  • c0tton to
  • c9tton to
  • corton to
  • cofton to
  • cogton to
  • coyton to
  • co6ton to
  • co5ton to
  • cotron to
  • cotfon to
  • cotgon to
  • cotyon to

Etymology of COTTON TO

The phrase "cotton to" is believed to originate from early 19th century American English. It derives from the verb "cotton" which was used as a slang term meaning to favor or to become fond of something or someone. It is suggested that this use of "cotton" in the sense of liking or approving may have been influenced by the idea of cotton as a soft and comfortable fabric, which symbolized something pleasant or agreeable.

The addition of "to" creates the phrasal verb "cotton to", meaning to warm up to, develop a liking for, or grow fond of something or someone over time. It implies a gradual shift in one's attitude or opinion towards a particular thing. Over the years, "cotton to" has become a commonly used idiom in English to express the idea of taking a liking to something or someone after initial hesitation or indifference.

Idioms with the word COTTON TO

  • cotton to sb/sth The idiom "cotton to sb/sth" means to develop a liking or fondness for someone or something. It can also imply understanding, appreciation, or acceptance of someone or something over time.
  • cotton to To "cotton to" means to become fond of or develop a liking for something. It can also refer to becoming receptive or agreeable to an idea or suggestion.

Conjugate verb Cotton to

CONDITIONAL

I would cotton to
you would cotton to
he/she/it would cotton to
we would cotton to
they would cotton to

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be cottoning to
you would be cottoning to
he/she/it would be cottoning to
we would be cottoning to
they would be cottoning to

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have cotton to
you would have cotton to
he/she/it would have cotton to
we would have cotton to
they would have cotton to

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been cottoning to
you would have been cottoning to
he/she/it would have been cottoning to
we would have been cottoning to
they would have been cottoning to

FUTURE

I will cotton to
you will cotton to
he/she/it will cotton to
we will cotton to
they will cotton to

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be cottoning to
you will be cottoning to
he/she/it will be cottoning to
we will be cottoning to
they will be cottoning to

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have cottoned to
you will have cottoned to
he/she/it will have cottoned to
we will have cottoned to
they will have cottoned to

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been cottoning to
you will have been cottoning to
he/she/it will have been cottoning to
we will have been cottoning to
they will have been cottoning to

IMPERATIVE

you cotton to
we let´s cotton to

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to cotton to

PAST

I cottoned to
you cottoned to
he/she/it cottoned to
we cottoned to
they cottoned to

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was cottoning to
you were cottoning to
he/she/it was cottoning to
we were cottoning to
they were cottoning to

PAST PARTICIPLE

cottoned to

PAST PERFECT

I had cottoned to
you had cottoned to
he/she/it had cottoned to
we had cottoned to
they had cottoned to

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been cottoning to
you had been cottoning to
he/she/it had been cottoning to
we had been cottoning to
they had been cottoning to

PRESENT

I cotton to
you cotton to
he/she/it cottons to
we cotton to
they cotton to

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am cottoning to
you are cottoning to
he/she/it is cottoning to
we are cottoning to
they are cottoning to

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

cottoning to

PRESENT PERFECT

I have cottoned to
you have cottoned to
he/she/it has cottoned to
we have cottoned to
they have cottoned to

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been cottoning to
you have been cottoning to
he/she/it has been cottoning to
we have been cottoning to
they have been cottoning to