cocky

[ kok-ee ]

/ ˈkɒk i /

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See synonyms for: cocky / cockier / cockiest / cockiness on Thesaurus.com

adjective, cock·i·er, cock·i·est.

arrogant; pertly self-assertive; conceited; He walked in with a cocky air.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of cocky

First recorded in 1540–50; cock¹ + -y¹

OTHER WORDS FROM cocky

cock·i·ly, adverbcock·i·ness, noun

Other definitions for cocky (2 of 3)

cocky²

[ kok-ee ]

/ ˈkɒk i /

noun, plural cock·ies.

Australian.

cockatiel.

Origin of cocky

First recorded in 1830–40; cock(atoo), cock(atiel) + -y²

Other definitions for cocky (3 of 3)

cocky³

[ kok-ee ]

/ ˈkɒk i /

verb (used without object), cock·ied, cock·y·ing.Newfoundland.

copy (def. 19).

Origin of cocky

Apparently a playful alteration, by association with cocky¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use cocky in a sentence

I had my year-old son in the back, flipped on a talk radio station and there was this cocky voice throwing insults at liberals and echoing so much of what I believed.
Rush Limbaugh Leaves Behind a Conservative Movement No Longer Interested in Truth. That Alarms Me as a Conservative|Joe Walsh|February 17, 2021|Time
I’m definitely attracted to someone who is confident but not cocky, someone who has sensitivity but is not overly sensitive, someone who’s just confident in themselves, that’s a big attraction to me.
Former Avalon singer on coming out, getting ousted and where he is today|Joey DiGuglielmo|October 20, 2020|Washington Blade
After my first night of delicious, wonderful 97-score sleep, I’m feeling a little cocky.
Why We Buy In to the Big Business of Sleep|Kelsey McKinney|August 6, 2020|Time
"Eldorado," he said once, cockily, as if he remembered something from the Spanish part of his background.
The Planet Strappers|Raymond Zinke Gallun

"Well, I'll have you to understand, sergeant—" bristled Hetherington, cockily.
A Little Book of Christmas|John Kendrick Bangs
“Very well, I will walk up and down the trenches, singing—” He said it a bit cockily.
The Best Short Stories of 1915|Various
"If that fellow had known how I can throw a baseball he'd have been careful," I thought, a little cockily.
The Young Forester|Zane Grey
The strut properly speaking began at the tip of his hat–his soft, black hat that sat so cockily upon his head.
In the Heart of a Fool|William Allen White

British Dictionary definitions for cocky (1 of 2)

cocky¹

/ (ˈkɒkɪ) /

adjective cockier or cockiest

excessively proud of oneself

Derived forms of cocky

cockily, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for cocky (2 of 2)

cocky²

/ (ˈkɒkɪ) /

noun plural cockies Australian informal

short for cockatoo (def. 2)

a farmer whose farm is regarded as small or of little account

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

cocky

Origin of cocky

OTHER WORDS FROM cocky

Other definitions for cocky (2 of 3)

Origin of cocky

Other definitions for cocky (3 of 3)

Origin of cocky

Words related to cocky

How to use cocky in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for cocky (1 of 2)

Derived forms of cocky

British Dictionary definitions for cocky (2 of 2)