cocky

[ kok-ee ]

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.

Origin of cocky

First recorded in 1540–50; cock¹ + -y¹

Other words from cocky

cock·i·ly, adverb
cock·i·ness, noun

Words Nearby cocky

Other definitions for cocky (2 of 3)

cocky²

[ kok-ee ]

noun,plural cock·ies.

Australian.
- cockatoo (def. 1).
- cockatoo (def. 2a).
cockatiel.

Origin of cocky

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

Other definitions for cocky (3 of 3)

cocky³

[ kok-ee ]

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

Her portrait shows a young woman who’s self-assured but not cocky, just uncertain enough about life and the world to help us navigate it too.
TIME's Best Portraits of 2021 | TIME Staff | December 16, 2021 | Time
Among other remarks, Rogozin has said that NASA should not get too cocky about its newfound access to space in case SpaceX's Crew Dragon vehicle "breaks."
Russia’s space chief wishes his oligarchs invested in space like Branson and Musk | Eric Berger | July 13, 2021 | Ars Technica
During the second snow of the next year, we got cocky and took on too many customers.
These Teen Brothers Are The Geniuses Behind This Popular Mumbo Sauce Brand | Kimberly Wilson | April 12, 2021 | Essence.com
It’s Bugs Bunny, in fact, who seems to channel Gashouse Gang star pitcher Dizzy Dean, with his cocky persona and homespun personality.
‘Baseball Bugs’ at 75: How a Looney Tunes classic left its mark on America’s pastime | Frederic J. Frommer | February 25, 2021 | Washington Post
Where are you going to, Henny-penny, cocky-locky, and Ducky-daddles?
Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building, Volume I (of 17) | Various

Peter and Prince were the dearest dogs, and cocky was a parrot that could say the most amusing things.
Greyfriars Bobby | Eleanor Atkinson
I got to know of this affair through Robbins' backing up of cocky, and telling Urquhart that nobody was afraid of him.
A Holiday in Bed and Other Sketches | J. M. Barrie
“cocky,” he said bravely, without a quiver of fear or flight, when Michael had charged upon him at sight to destroy him.
Michael, Brother of Jerry | Jack London
So Kwaque remained in the two rooms, cooking and housekeeping for his master and caring for Michael and cocky.
Michael, Brother of Jerry | Jack London

British Dictionary definitions for cocky (1 of 2)

cocky¹

/ (ˈkɒkɪ) /

adjectivecockier or cockiest

excessively proud of oneself

Derived forms of cocky

cockily, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for cocky (2 of 2)

cocky²

/ (ˈkɒkɪ) /

nounplural 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

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