cocky

¹

[kok-ee]

adjective

cockier, cockiest 

1. arrogant; pertly self-assertive; conceited;

   He walked in with a cocky air.

cocky

²

[kok-ee]

noun

plural

cockies 

1. Australian.

   1. cockatoo.

   2. cockatoo.

2. cockatiel.

cocky

³

[kok-ee]

verb (used without object)

Newfoundland.

cockied, cockying 

1. copy.

cocky

¹

/ ˈkɒkɪ /

noun

1. short for cockatoo

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

cocky

²

/ ˈkɒkɪ /

adjective

1. excessively proud of oneself

Other Word Forms

• cockily adverb
• cockiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cocky¹

First recorded in 1540–50; cock ¹ + -y ¹

Origin of cocky²

First recorded in 1830–40; cock(atoo), cock(atiel) + -y ²

Origin of cocky³

Apparently a playful alteration, by association with cocky ¹

Example Sentences

The West Australian newspaper harangued England through Perth airport, called them crybabys, arrogant and cocky.

Read more on BBC

A U.S. ambassador to the region called him “rude” and “cocky” in a diplomatic cable later revealed by WikiLeaks.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Mike was cocky and overconfident and Jordan was just concerned with Megan’s happiness.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He enjoyed talking to the press—candid, free spirited and cocky.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

When I was a kid, people thought I was cocky, but I was just confident.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• arrogant 
• brash 
• cocksure 
• overconfident 
• presumptuous 
• self-confident www.thesaurus.com