Courteney 'cougar' Cox

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-11 09:09

Courteney Cox loves being a "cougar".

The 45-year-old star - who husband David Arquette is eight years her junior - enjoys being married to a younger man and thinks the age gap enhances their relationship.

Courtney - who is starring in new comedy 'Cougar Town' - said: "David is much younger than me. I think it's great to be a cougar, if that's what they're called. I just don't know what the term is for a man who dates a younger woman."

A cougar is a slang word for a sexually predatory older woman who is attracted to younger men.

Although Courteney enjoys her cougar status, the former 'Friends' beauty admits she found it difficult turning 40.

Courteney, who has a five-year-old daughter, Coco, with David, said: "When I turned 40 I was laying in bed with Coco. I just had her two days before. Being 40 is hard for women. I didn't experience that until later."

The actress is dreading Coco starting school but knows it will be good for her.

She added to US TV show 'Access Hollywood': "Coco's about to start kindergarten. She's going to go to school from 8-4 or 8-3 and then she'll come to the set. It works out well.

"I'm kind of nervous about it. But it'll be good. She loves to be around kids her own age."