cockiness
/'kɔkinis/
Definition
Noun: 1. Offensive boldness and assertiveness: An excessive and often arrogant confidence in oneself, which can be perceived as disrespectful or irritating by others. It implies a lack of humility. 2. Overconfidence, swagger: A state of being overly self-assured to the point of being presumptuous or brash.
Usage and Examples
- His cockiness during the interview, where he claimed he knew more than the entire panel, cost him the job.
- The young athlete's cockiness was evident in his boastful predictions of victory before the match.
- While some confidence is good, her cockiness often alienates her teammates.
Advanced Usage and Nuance
- Cockiness typically carries a negative connotation. It describes confidence that has crossed a line into arrogance and is often seen as unearned or unwarranted.
- It is frequently associated with youth or inexperience, where a person has not yet faced enough failure to develop humility.
- The word can describe a temporary attitude ("He answered with cockiness") or a more permanent character trait ("Her cockiness is well-known").
Variants and Related Words
- Cocky (adjective): Having or showing cockiness.
- He was too cocky and didn't prepare properly for the exam.
- Cockily (adverb): In a cocky manner.
- He strutted cockily onto the stage.
Synonyms
- Arrogance
- Overconfidence
- Presumptuousness
- Brashness
- Swagger (as a noun, meaning a confident and arrogant gait or manner)
Antonyms
- Humility
- Modesty
- Diffidence
- Timidity
Idioms and Common Phrases
- Full of oneself: An idiom very similar in meaning to cocky, describing someone who is self-absorbed and overly confident.
- Ever since he won the award, he's been so full of himself.
Noun
-
offensive boldness and assertiveness
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