cowrie

noun

cow·​rie ˈkau̇-rē 

variants or less commonly cowry

plural cowries

: any of various marine gastropods (family Cypraeidae) that are widely distributed in warm seas and have glossy and often brightly colored shells

also : the shell of a cowrie

Examples of cowrie in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The dreamy gown which featured hundreds of cowrie shells and a glistening silver gown. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 11 Feb. 2025

Photo: Getty Images While Justice Jackson has yet to explain the exact meaning of her Inauguration collar, the cowrie shell’s multiple meanings point to a sartorial expression of her dissent. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 20 Jan. 2025

The dress—adorned with cowrie shells, Black Swarovski crystals, and crowned with a stunning headpiece made a statement. —Shelby Stewart, Essence, 3 Feb. 2025

Other artifacts on view include ceremonial cowrie shell baskets, flags from various slave rebellions, and slave badges from markets across North and South America. —Kaila Philo, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Hindi & Urdu kauṛī

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cowrie

• dowry
• floury
• lourie
• maori

Kids Definition

cowrie

noun

cow·​rie

variants also cowry

ˈkau̇(ə)r-ē 

plural cowries

: any of numerous usually small snails of warm seas with glossy often brightly colored shells