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
James Thurber2
: jaunty
cockily
ˈkä-kə-lē
adverb cockiness
ˈkä-kē-nəs
noun 
Synonyms
- arch
- audacious
- bold
- bold-faced
- brash
- brassbound
- brassy
- brazen
- brazen-faced
- cheeky
- cocksure
- fresh
- impertinent
- impudent
- insolent
- nervy
- sassy
- saucy
- wise
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 With humility and being broke or cocky with the checkbook? Brooklyn White, Essence, 16 Sep. 2022 Miller played charismatic and cocky entrepreneur Erlich Bachman. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 24 Aug. 2022 He was revealed as being two-faced and very destructive and cocky. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 18 Aug. 2022 Butt-Head still manages to be cocky even when he gets shut down time and time again. Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2022 When it was first learned that Tom Cruise would be re-enlisting for the role of his Top Gun flyboy Maverick, superfans prayed for a reunion with his cocky antagonist, immortally played by Val Kilmer. Ew Staff, EW.com, 1 July 2022 The Estonian sophomore is the cocky and feisty sort who can drive opponents crazy, taunt their fans and question game officials. Tim Bielik, cleveland, 24 Mar. 2022 The Beavers were either too proud or too cocky to respect that fact. Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 14 June 2022 In this track, Flo Milli is unabashedly conceited, and her cocky energy is delightfully infectious. Wisdom Iheanyichukwu, refinery29.com, 17 June 2022 See More
Brooklyn White, Essence, 16 Sep. 2022 Miller played charismatic and cocky entrepreneur Erlich Bachman. Matt Wake | Mwake@al.com, al, 24 Aug. 2022 He was revealed as being two-faced and very destructive and cocky. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 18 Aug. 2022 Butt-Head still manages to be cocky even when he gets shut down time and time again. Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2022 When it was first learned that Tom Cruise would be re-enlisting for the role of his Top Gun flyboy Maverick, superfans prayed for a reunion with his cocky antagonist, immortally played by Val Kilmer. Ew Staff, EW.com, 1 July 2022 The Estonian sophomore is the cocky and feisty sort who can drive opponents crazy, taunt their fans and question game officials. Tim Bielik, cleveland, 24 Mar. 2022 The Beavers were either too proud or too cocky to respect that fact. Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 14 June 2022 In this track, Flo Milli is unabashedly conceited, and her cocky energy is delightfully infectious. Wisdom Iheanyichukwu, refinery29.com, 17 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
see cock entry 1
First Known Use
1768, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
cocky
adjective
ˈkä-kē
cockier; cockiest
: very sure of oneself : boldly self-confident
cockiness
noun
as in arrogance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- arrogance
- overconfidence
- brashness
- confidence
- cheekiness
- self-assurance
- sanguinity
- assurance
- sauciness
- audaciousness
- presumptuousness
- self-confidence
- presumption
- brazenness
- pertness
- audacity
- chutzpah
- hardihood
- effrontery
- insolence
- brassiness
- rudeness
- temerity
- disrespect
- brass
- impudence
- crust
- inconsiderateness
- nerve
- swagger
- impertinence
- ungraciousness
- impoliteness
- gall
- sauce
- sass
- cheek
- hutzpah
- inconsideration
- incivility
- nerviness
- chutzpa
- face
- discourteousness
- hutzpa
- back talk
- swash
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- timidity
- shyness
- diffidence
- bashfulness
- modesty
- hesitancy
- timidness
- manners
- timorousness
- gentility
- faintheartedness
- graciousness
- civility
- courtesy
- courteousness
- mannerliness