cocky

¹

[ kok-ee ]

adjective

, cock·i·er, cock·i·est.

1. arrogant; pertly self-assertive; conceited;

   He walked in with a cocky air.

cocky

²

[ kok-ee ]

noun

, plural cock·ies.

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

cocky

³

[ kok-ee ]

verb (used without object)

, Newfoundland.

, cock·ied, cock·y·ing.

1. copy ( def 19 ).

cocky

¹

/ ˈkɒkɪ /

adjective

1. excessively proud of oneself

cocky

²

/ ˈkɒkɪ /

noun

1. See cockatoo
   short for cockatoo
2. a farmer whose farm is regarded as small or of little account

Derived Forms

• ˈcockily, adverb

Other Words From

• cocki·ly adverb
• cocki·ness 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

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.

From 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."

From Ars Technica

During the second snow of the next year, we got cocky and took on too many customers.

From 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.

From Washington Post

Where are you going to, Henny-penny, Cocky-locky, and Ducky-daddles?

From Project Gutenberg

Peter and Prince were the dearest dogs, and Cocky was a parrot that could say the most amusing things.

From Project Gutenberg

I got to know of this affair through Robbins' backing up of Cocky, and telling Urquhart that nobody was afraid of him.

From Project Gutenberg

“Cocky,” he said bravely, without a quiver of fear or flight, when Michael had charged upon him at sight to destroy him.

From Project Gutenberg

So Kwaque remained in the two rooms, cooking and housekeeping for his master and caring for Michael and Cocky.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• arrogant
• brash
• cocksure
• overconfident
• presumptuous
• self-confident