cockier; cockiest
Synonyms of cockynext
1
: boldly or brashly self-confident
a cocky young actor
he is invariably a smug and cocky stuffed shirtJames Thurber
2
: jaunty
cockily adverb
cockiness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Their roles are reversed when O’Brien’s cocky, young CEO must look to McAdams’ strategic planning and survival know-how to stay alive. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 30 Jan. 2026 But everybody’s favorite NFL linebacker is allowed to be cocky. Samyra, SELF, 14 Jan. 2026 Matthews too recalled Salamone as abrasive and cocky. J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 13 Jan. 2026 Figure skater Adriana Russo (Madelyn Keys) begins training for the world championships and falls for her new partner, a cocky but talented skater named Brayden Elliot (Cale Ambrozic). Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cocky

Word History

Etymology

see cock entry 1

First Known Use

1768, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cocky was in 1768

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cocky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cocky. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

cocky

adjective
cockier; cockiest
1
: being too sure of oneself
2
: jaunty
cockily adverb
cockiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on cocky

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