coxcomb

[ koks-kohm ]

noun

1. a conceited, foolish dandy; pretentious fop.

   Synonyms: jackanapes, popinjay, dude

2. Archaic. head; pate.
3. Obsolete. cockscomb ( def 2 ).

coxcomb

/ ˈkɒksˌkəʊm /

noun

1. a variant spelling of cockscomb
2. archaic.
   a foppish man
3. obsolete.
   the cap, resembling a cock's comb, worn by a jester

Other Words From

• cox·comb·i·cal [koks-, kom, -i-k, uh, l, -, koh, -mi-], cox·combic adjective
• cox·combi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of coxcomb¹

First recorded in 1565–75; spelling variant of cockscomb

Example Sentences

He told me that Serjeant Clippinger had howled when he had seen it, jeering that the woman had sewn it wrong, and it was a perfect fit for a three-toothed black coxcomb like himself.

From Literature

Stone, a coxcomb who occasionally texts reporters pictures of outfits he’s particularly proud of, no doubt already has his congressional-testimony suit picked out.

From The New Yorker

Johnson had already said of his former friend, “Hawkesworth is grown a coxcomb, and I have done with him”.

From The Guardian

And here’s Charles Dickens, a preening coxcomb prepared to spend eternity congratulating himself on his own literary reputation.

From Washington Post

J “Move along, you coxcomb,” Ignatius belched, the gassy eructations echoing between the walls of the alley.

From Literature