cocky
B2Informal
Definition
Meaning
Overly self-confident or arrogant, especially in a brash or irritating way.
Used to describe a confident or assertive attitude that borders on or crosses into excessive pride, often perceived as disrespectful or immature.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Almost always pejorative. Conveys a negative judgment about someone's attitude, not just confidence. The word implies a lack of justification for the level of self-assurance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar in both dialects. The word is understood and used comparably.
Connotations
Slightly stronger negative connotation in British English, where it can imply a foolish overconfidence. In American English, it might sometimes be used with a hint of grudging admiration in specific, informal contexts (e.g., sports), though still negative.
Frequency
Comparable frequency. Possibly slightly more common in Australian English (colloquial).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] is/get/become cocky.Don't get cocky.It was cocky of [person] to [action].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Cocky as the king of spades (Australian/British).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used informally to critique a colleague's overbearing attitude in presentations or negotiations: 'His cocky pitch put off the potential investors.'
Academic
Very rare. Not a standard term of analysis.
Everyday
Common in describing people, especially younger individuals or competitors seen as disrespectful: 'He became really cocky after winning the first match.'
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A ("cockily" exists but is rare)
American English
- N/A ("cockily" exists but is rare)
adjective
British English
- The young footballer was dropped from the squad for his cocky behaviour in training.
- Don't get cocky just because you aced one test.
American English
- His cocky response during the interview cost him the job.
- She's talented, but she comes across as a bit too cocky sometimes.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He is very cocky and always talks about how great he is.
- Don't be so cocky! The game isn't over yet.
- After his early success, he grew increasingly cocky and started ignoring his coach's advice.
- Her cocky grin suggested she knew she had won the argument.
- The CEO's cocky assurance that the merger would be seamless proved to be disastrously misplaced.
- There's a fine line between the justified confidence of a champion and the sheer cockiness of an upstart.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a little rooster (a cock) strutting around the farmyard, acting like he owns the place. That's being 'cocky'.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONFIDENCE IS SIZE/HEIGHT (the person is 'puffed up'), ARROGANCE IS A PHYSICAL SWAGGER.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not "cocky" (петушиный). The Russian word "самоуверенный" is closer but often less negative. "Cocky" carries a stronger sense of unjustified, annoying arrogance, like "наглый" or "высокомерный" in a specific, brash way.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a positive (e.g., 'I admire his cocky attitude.' – this is unusual). Confusing it with simply 'confident'. Using it in formal writing.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'cocky' used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost never. It is a criticism. In very specific, informal contexts (like sports commentary), it might be used with a tone of amusement or to describe a bold move, but it still carries a negative judgment about the person's attitude.
'Confident' is positive or neutral, based on real ability. 'Cocky' is negative, implying arrogance and an overestimation of one's abilities that is irritating to others.
Yes, etymologically. It comes from the behavior of a rooster, which is often perceived as strutting and assertive. The suffix '-y' means 'characterized by'.
The noun form is 'cockiness' (e.g., 'His cockiness was his downfall').
Explore