cockier; cockiest
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.
But Pacquiao had style and substance and a swagger that was somewhat more confidently good-natured than cocky. Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2024 The former congressman, chief of staff to President Barack Obama and mayor of Chicago is brash, a touch cocky and frequently profane. Motoko Rich, New York Times, 15 Dec. 2024 Confident Communication Confident communication skills are not to be confused with being cocky or arrogant. Rachel Wells, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024 So far Gabe seems to be feeling pretty cocky about squaring up against his machine replacement. Wired Staff, WIRED, 20 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near cocky

Cite this Entry

“Cocky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cocky. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

cocky

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

More from Merriam-Webster on cocky

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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