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.
The entire Sun bench exploded to its feet to embrace the 14-year veteran superstar, who quickly broke into a cocky smile. Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2025 Even before the trailer dropped in May, the film’s marketing had kicked into gear, with McDonald appearing in character as cocky golfer Shooter McGavin at the WM Phoenix Open golf tournament months prior. Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 25 July 2025 Talladega Nights mocked sports movies, phony Christians, and the French, but what’s striking about watching the film today is how almost quaint its hysterical portrayal of cocky male cluelessness now seems. Tim Grierson, Vulture, 25 July 2025 Joseph Quinn As Johnny Storm/Human Torch Johnny is Sue’s cocky brother who’s also part of the Fantastic Four. Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cocky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cocky. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

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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