Meaning & use

cocksure

adjective·Advanced

Last updated

Presumptuously or arrogantly confident, often to an excessive or unjustified degree.

See it in a sentence

The cocksure rookie assured everyone he'd win the tournament with ease.

Her cocksure attitude in the interview rubbed several panelists the wrong way.

A note on using this word

Despite appearances, the word likely has nothing to do with roosters; it probably derives from "cock" in the older sense of a tap or valve set with certainty in place.

Words with a similar meaning

overconfidentarrogantsmug

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Words with an opposite meaning

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