cocksure

adjective

cock·​sure ˈkäk-ˈshu̇r 

1

: feeling perfect assurance sometimes on inadequate grounds

2

: marked by overconfidence or presumptuousness : cocky

cocksurely adverb

cocksureness noun

Synonyms

• arch
• audacious
• bold
• bold-faced
• brash
• brassbound
• brassy
• brazen
• brazen-faced
• cheeky
• cocky
• fresh
• impertinent
• impudent
• insolent
• nervy
• sassy
• saucy
• wise

Choose the Right Synonym for cocksure

sure, certain, positive, cocksure mean having no doubt or uncertainty.

sure usually stresses the subjective or intuitive feeling of assurance.

felt sure that I had forgotten something

certain may apply to a basing of a conclusion or conviction on definite grounds or indubitable evidence.

police are certain about the cause of the fire

positive intensifies sureness or certainty and may imply opinionated conviction or forceful expression of it.

I'm positive that's the person I saw

cocksure implies presumptuous or careless positiveness.

you're always so cocksure about everything

Examples of cocksure in a Sentence

you're always so cocksure about everything

Recent Examples on the Web

No brand should be so cocksure as to presume its products are irreplaceable. —Cate Rubenstein, Rolling Stone, 11 Jan. 2023

Nayeri’s demeanor — usually cocksure — became unhinged. —Tim Dickinson, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2022

Yann Gael, Roger Sallah and Mentor Ba entertain as tough guy gunslingers, but their cocksure attitude is tested when a paranormal foe threatens them and their stash of gold. —Thomas Page, CNN, 23 Sep. 2022

From the start, Mr. Koecher was at once brilliant and hard to take—cocksure and certain that he was destined for great things. —Edward Kosner, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022

Word History

Etymology

probably from cock entry 1 + sure

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

cocksure

adjective

cock·​sure ˈkäk-ˈshu̇(ə)r 

1

: perfectly sure : certain

2

: cocky sense 1