definitions

cocky

1
[ kok-ee ]
/ ˈkɒk i /
|

adjective, cock·i·er, cock·i·est.

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

RELATED CONTENT

IchigoRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

Nearby words

cocktail sauce, cocktail stick, cocktail table, cockteaser, cockup, cocky, cocky's joy, cockyleeky, coco, coco de mer, coco-de-mer

Origin of cocky

1
First recorded in 1540–50; cock1 + -y1
Related formscock·i·ly, adverbcock·i·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for cockily

  • "That's the Queen o' Kentucky, sir," replied the other cockily.

    Boy Woodburn|Alfred Ollivant

  • "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

British Dictionary definitions for cockily (1 of 2)

cocky

1
/ (ˈkɒkɪ) /

adjective cockier or cockiest

excessively proud of oneself
Derived Formscockily, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for cockily (2 of 2)

cocky

2
/ (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

Word Origin and History for cockily

cocky

adj.

"arrogantly pert," 1768; originally "lecherous" (1540s); from cock (n.1) + -y (2). Related: Cockiness.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper