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Showing results for cocky. Search instead for coky.
Synonyms

cocky

1 American  
[kok-ee] / ˈkɒk i /

adjective

cockier, cockiest

  1. arrogant; pertly self-assertive; conceited;

    He walked in with a cocky air.
cocky 2 American  
[kok-ee] / ˈkɒk i /

noun

plural

cockies

  1. Australian.

    1. cockatoo.

    2. cockatoo.

  2. cockatiel.

cocky 3 American  
[kok-ee] / ˈkɒk i /

verb (used without object)

Newfoundland.
cockied, cockying

  1. copy.

cocky 1 British  
/ ˈkɒkɪ /

noun

  1. short for cockatoo

  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 2 British  
/ ˈkɒkɪ /

adjective

  1. excessively proud of oneself

"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

Other Word Forms

  • cockily adverb
  • cockiness noun

Etymology

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

AI was already used with Kilmer so he could again play one of his most iconic roles, the cocky pilot Iceman, in the 2022 sequel to the era-defining 1980s hit "Top Gun."

From Barron's

On the second twirl, I caught sight of the cocky, toothy smile of Douglas Fairbanks on the cover of Photoplay.I plucked the magazine from the stand.

From Literature

When I was a first year, I’d seen her make a cocky fifth year mop the entire mess hall because he had the audacity to start a food fight.

From Literature

I remember being excited, of course, but also like, “Yes! I’m supposed to be here,” not from a cocky place but more affirmative.

From Los Angeles Times

A 64-year-old late bloomer who arrived in Bloomington with a cocky press conference and group of James Madison transfers, Cignetti delivered swagger, talent and a gift for navigating college football’s turbulent, transfer-happy economy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.