cocker

¹ American  

[kok-er] / ˈkɒk ər /

noun

1. cocker spaniel.

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cocker ² American  

[kok-er] / ˈkɒk ər /

noun

1. a person who promotes or patronizes cockfights.

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cocker ³ American  

[kok-er] / ˈkɒk ər /

verb (used with object)

1. to pamper.

   to cocker a child.

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cocker ¹ British  

/ ˈkɒkə /

noun

1. a devotee of cockfighting

2. short for cocker spaniel

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cocker ² British  

/ ˈkɒkə /

verb

1. rare (tr) to pamper or spoil by indulgence

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noun

1. informal a mate (esp in the phrase old cocker )

Cocker ³ British  

/ ˈkɒkə /

noun

1. reliable or reliably; correct or correctly

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Etymology

Origin of cocker¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; extended sense of cocker ² ( def. )

Origin of cocker²

First recorded in 1650–60; (game)cock + -er ¹, that is, gamecock fancier

Origin of cocker³

First recorded in 1400–1450; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Doc Holliday, 8, a black-and-white English cocker, passed from this life into the next a week ago Tuesday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

Mamaradlo breeds cocker spaniels that live with her when they’re not “working.”

From Salon • Aug. 18, 2025

"She's like our little mini-mascot," Mead said of Myle, a working cocker spaniel.

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2025

She and Davis have flaunted their love on Instagram with Valentine’s Day posts and photo shoots with her cocker spaniel Harley.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2024

“What I need is a cocker spaniel or something,” she said.

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger