cocksure

cock·sure

adjective \ˈkäk-ˈshu̇r\

Definition of COCKSURE

1

: feeling perfect assurance sometimes on inadequate grounds

2

: marked by overconfidence or presumptuousness : cocky

— cock·sure·ly adverb

— cock·sure·ness noun

Examples of COCKSURE

1. <his cocksure assertion that he could bed any woman of his choice>
2. <you're always so cocksure about everything>

Origin of COCKSURE

probably from ¹cock + sure

First Known Use: 1608

Related to COCKSURE

Synonyms

arch, audacious, bold, bold-faced, brash, brassbound, brassy, brazen, brazen-faced, cheeky, nervy, cocky, fresh, impertinent, impudent, insolent, sassy, saucy, wise

Antonyms

meek, mousy (or mousey), retiring, shy, timid

Related Words

assertive, forward, obtrusive; audacious, defiant, disrespectful; shameless, unabashed, unblushing; bluff, blunt, curt; cute, facetious, flip, flippant, pert, smart, smart-aleck, smart-alecky; lippy, mouthy

Near Antonyms

demure, humble, modest; courteous, genteel, mannerly, polite, proper; deferential, respectful; abashed, ashamed, blushing, embarrassed, shamefaced; gentle, mild; inconspicuous, unobtrusive

See Synonym Discussion at sure

Rhymes with COCKSURE

abjure, adjure, Adour, allure, amour, Ashur, assure, brochure, ceinture, coiffure, conjure, contour, couture, demure, detour, dirt-poor, endure, ensure, faubourg, for sure, Fraktur, grandeur, gravure, guipure, hachure, immure, impure, insure, inure, kultur, land-poor, langur, ligure, manure, mature, mohur, obscure, parure, perdure, procure, rondure, secure, siddur, tambour, tandoor, tenure, Uighur, unmoor, velour, velure