cocky

adjective

ˈkä-kē 

cockier; cockiest

1

: boldly or brashly self-confident

a cocky young actor

he is invariably a smug and cocky stuffed shirt

—James Thurber

2

: jaunty

cockily

ˈkä-kə-lē 

adverb

cockiness

ˈkä-kē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of cocky

• wise
• cocksure
• insolent
• sassy
• brazen
• impudent
• bold
• brash
• cheeky
• fresh
• brassy
• blunt
• defiant
• saucy
• assertive
• impertinent
• nervy
• audacious

Examples of cocky in a Sentence

Don't get too cocky about your chances of getting the job.

a cocky young actor who thought that he was God's gift to the theater

Recent Examples on the Web

He’s known for his cocky attitude, teaming up with fellow hero Blue Beetle and traveling with his robot companion Skeets. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 July 2026

Dix was a baseball prodigy too cocky and flashy for his own good who now coasts through life on his long-ago heroics coupled with charm and an undeserved diet of luck. — Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026

Murray, a stoic veteran, wasn’t sure what to make of Kent, who played with a cocky edge. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 26 July 2026

Not to sound cocky on another man’s behalf, but Rhys should skate to a win. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

see cock entry 1

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cocky

• blocky
• chalky
• gawky
• hockey
• jockey
• khaki
• machi
• maki
• rocky
• stocky
• talkie
• walkie

Kids Definition

cocky

adjective

ˈkäk-ē 

cockier; cockiest

1

: being too sure of oneself

2

: jaunty

cockily

ˈkäk-ə-lē 

adverb

cockiness

ˈkäk-ē-nəs 

noun