coxcomb

noun

cox·​comb ˈkäks-ˌkōm How to pronounce coxcomb (audio)
1
a
: a jester's cap adorned with a strip of red
b
archaic : pate, head
2
a
obsolete : fool
b
: a conceited foolish person : fop
coxcombical adjective

Examples of coxcomb in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The doctor was a large, hale man, with a coxcomb of thinning red hair. Adam O’Fallon Price, Harper's magazine, 10 June 2019

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cokkes comb, literally, cock's comb

First Known Use

1573, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of coxcomb was in 1573

Dictionary Entries Near coxcomb

Cite this Entry

“Coxcomb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coxcomb. Accessed 9 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

coxcomb

noun
cox·​comb ˈkäks-ˌkōm How to pronounce coxcomb (audio)
: a conceited foolish person

More from Merriam-Webster on coxcomb

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!