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 /

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

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

"And he had a manner in the conversation that was assertive, but slightly cocky. That's an attractive quality too."

From BBC

He doesn’t have a cocky swagger where he is pretending to be this bigger-than-life character.

From Salon

The knives in her stare let them see the danger in that cocky misperception.

From Salon

Some might call him cocky, while others might say it’s confidence, but regardless, the junior has emerged as a top Southern Section quarterback in 2024.

From Los Angeles Times

They try to be cocky in front of the officers, but they aren’t convincing.

From BBC

Related Words

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