cocky

[ˈkɔki]
[ˈkɒki]
[ˈkɒki]
[ˈkɑki]
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A cocky person is someone who seems too confident or proud, often to an annoying degree. They might come across as arrogant or show-offy.

When we say someone's being cocky, it usually means they're acting like they're better than others, sometimes just because of a small accomplishment or success. For example, if you're in a group and one person starts bragging about their sports skills and claiming to be the best player, that can be considered cocky behavior. Cockiness can also come across as insensitive or thoughtless, especially when someone's being overly competitive or dismissive of others' feelings. It's like they think they're invincible or superior in some way, which can be off-putting to those around them.

How common is "cocky"?

Word cocky is considered rare in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions

adjective

  • Overly confident; arrogant and boastful.

Real examples of "cocky" in context

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