Meaning & use
cocky
Last updated
UK/ˈkɒki/
US/ˈkɑːki/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.
Meaning
adjectivecomparableinformaldisapproving
Too sure of your own abilities in a way that annoys other people.
Grammar: Goes before a noun or after be: a cocky rookie, he was cocky.
Patterns
- cocky about something
- be cocky
The cocky young striker boasted that he would score three goals.
Don't get cocky just because you won once.
He had a cocky grin that irritated his rivals.
Word forms
| comparative | cockier |
|---|---|
| superlative | cockiest |
Common combinations
- get cocky
- Don't get cocky after one good game.
- cocky attitude
- His cocky attitude annoyed the coach.
- a cocky grin
- He gave a cocky grin and shrugged.
- cocky about something
- She was cocky about her chances.
- cocky young man
- A cocky young man pushed to the front.
Synonyms and how they differ
- arrogant
- Arrogant is stronger and describes a lasting character trait, while cocky is often a temporary swagger.
- conceited
- Conceited stresses admiration of oneself, but cocky focuses on bold, showy behavior.
- confident
- Confident is a positive word, while cocky always has a negative edge.
- brash
- Brash suggests loud, thoughtless boldness, close to cocky but less about overrating yourself.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: cocky or cocksure?
cocky vs cocksure
Cocksure means similar overconfidence, but sounds older and a bit more formal than cocky.
Practice
After two easy wins, the team grew ___ and stopped practicing.
Choose one answer.
Cocky means overconfident, which explains why they stopped practicing. Humble and grateful describe the opposite attitude.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cocky”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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