What does "cousins" mean?
The American intelligence services (from a British perspective) or the British intelligence services (from an American perspective).
Cousins
/ˈkʌzn̩s/ name, noun, verb, slang
name, noun, verb, slang ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The American intelligence services (from a British perspective) or the British intelligence services (from an American perspective).
- Grammar: cousins is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: blood relative, family member, kin, relative.
- Useful contrasts: nonrelative, nonrelatives, unrelated person.
- Usage evidence: The editor and the publisher are both my cousins.
How to use "cousins"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "cousins" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "cousins" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "cousins" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "cousins" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "cousins" is acting as name, noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "blood relative" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "cousins", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The American intelligence services (from a British perspective) or the British intelligence services (from an American perspective). plural, plural-only, slang
"[T]he grounded fieldmen, the trainers and the case officers who made their own murmured caucus always – they saw the question solely in operational terms. […] They saw the shotgun marriage with the Cousins as just another skilful bit of tradecraft in a long and delicate poker game."
- 2 plural of cousin form-of, plural
- 3 plural of Cousin form-of, plural
- 4 Alternative letter-case form of cousins (“the American intelligence services (from a British perspective) or the British intelligence services (from an American perspective)”). alt-of
Verb
- 1 third-person singular simple present indicative of cousin form-of, indicative, present, singular, third-person
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname from Middle English.
- 2 plural of Cousin form-of, plural
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"The editor and the publisher are both my cousins."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "cousins"?
Common synonyms include: blood relative, family member, kin, relative, relatives.
How do you use "cousins" in a sentence?
The editor and the publisher are both my cousins.
How do you pronounce "cousins"?
Pronounced /ˈkʌzn̩s/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From cousin + -s (suffix forming pluralia tantum, regular plurals of nouns, and the third-person singular indicative present tense forms of verbs). The plural noun noun 1 sense 1 (“American or British intelligence services”) was popularized in the works of the English author John le Carré (David John Moore Cornwell; 1930–2020).
Etymology 2
A Middle English surname from Norman terminology. From Anglo-Norman, from Old French cusin, cosin, cousin (“cousin”) (French cousin, cousine). Literally, “familial relative”.
Etymology 3
From Cousin + -s.
Etymology 4
See cousins.