cocksy

A man walks with a cocksy swagger down the street.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Conceited or self-assertive: "cocksy" describes someone who is overly confident in a way that shows a lack of respect for others, often in a brash or impudent manner. This word is an informal variant of "cocksure" or "cocky."

Usage Examples

• (Overly confident and self-assured, to the point of being annoying.)
• (Her brash and impudent behaviour irritated others.)

Advanced Usage

• "Cocksy" is often used to describe a person's demeanour or tone, especially in informal contexts. It can imply a mix of arrogance and youthful bravado.
  • The cocksy newcomer challenged the veteran player without hesitation. (The newcomer acted with excessive confidence, showing disrespect.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cocky (adj): the more common spelling and usage; meaning arrogantly self-confident.

  • He was too cocky to admit his mistake. (He was arrogantly unwilling to acknowledge error.)

• Cocksure (adj): certain of something in a way that is overconfident or arrogant.

  • She was cocksure about her success, even without preparation. (She was overconfident.)

• Cockiness (n): the quality of being arrogantly self-confident.

  • His cockiness lost him many friends. (His arrogance drove people away.)

Synonyms

• Arrogant: having an exaggerated sense of one's own importance.
• Bold: confident in a way that may be seen as rude or forward.
• Brash: self-assertive in a rude or noisy way.
• Impudent: not showing proper respect; cheeky.

Related Idioms

• Cock of the walk: a person who is dominant or self-important in a group.

  • Ever since he won the award, he's been the cock of the walk. (He acts overly superior.)

• Too big for one's boots: behaving as if one is more important than one really is.

  • That cocksy kid needs to learn he's not too big for his boots. (He needs to be less arrogant.)