coxcomb: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Literary, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “coxcomb” mean?
A vain, conceited, foolish man who is overly concerned with his appearance, intellect, or importance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A vain, conceited, foolish man who is overly concerned with his appearance, intellect, or importance.
1. (Historical) A cap resembling a cock's comb, worn by jesters. 2. (Archaic) A foolishly conceited fop or dandy. 3. (Technical, Rare) The fleshy red crest on the head of a rooster or other fowl.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Slightly more likely to be recognized in British English due to its presence in historical/literary texts from the UK canon.
Connotations
Both share the core meaning. Connotes an old-fashioned, theatrical kind of vanity.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary spoken or written language in both varieties. Almost exclusively found in historical novels, period dramas, or as a deliberate archaism.
Grammar
How to Use “coxcomb” in a Sentence
[be] + a/the + coxcomb[behave/strut/act] + like + a + coxcombsuch + a + coxcomb[regard/dismiss] + NP + as + a + coxcombVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “coxcomb” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not used as a verb.
American English
- Not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not standard as an adjective. 'Coxcomical' is an archaic, rare derivative.
American English
- Not standard as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rarely used; might appear in literary criticism or historical studies discussing character archetypes.
Everyday
Virtually never used in modern conversation. Its use would be seen as a deliberate, perhaps humorous, archaism.
Technical
In ornithology/poultry farming, the primary meaning shifts to the anatomical 'comb'.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coxcomb”
- Misspelling as 'coxswain' (a different word).
- Mispronouncing the 'xb' cluster.
- Using it in modern contexts where it sounds jarringly anachronistic.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic literary term. Using it today would sound very old-fashioned or deliberately humorous.
The word originally referred to the comb of a cock (rooster). Jesters wore caps shaped like this comb. The association with showy, foolish vanity was then transferred to conceited men.
Historically and primarily, no. It is a masculine archetype. A similar archaic term for a vain woman might be 'coquette' or 'précieuse'.
Yes. A 'dandy' is concerned with refined, elegant style, not necessarily foolish. A 'coxcomb' implies the vanity is combined with foolishness, pretension, and lack of substance.
A vain, conceited, foolish man who is overly concerned with his appearance, intellect, or importance.
Coxcomb is usually formal, literary, archaic in register.
Coxcomb: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒkskəʊm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːkskoʊm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms feature this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture a ROOSTER (cock) with a bright red COMB on its head, strutting proudly and foolishly. Now picture a man with the same showy, foolish pride: a COXCOMB.
Conceptual Metaphor
A VAIN PERSON IS A PROUD ROOSTER (with its showy comb). PRIDE/FOOLISHNESS IS A PHYSICAL ORNAMENT.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary, modern meaning of 'coxcomb'?