Cockiness Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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cockiness

[ˈkɒkɪnəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in behavior

Excessive confidence or arrogance, especially in a way that annoys others.

Synonyms

arrogance, conceit, haughtiness, overconfidence.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
cockiness	Used when describing someone who is overly confident in a way that is annoying or unwarranted. His cockiness was evident when he bragged about his unverified skills
arrogance	Used when referring to someone who has an exaggerated sense of their own importance or abilities, often leading to looking down on others. Her arrogance made it difficult for her to make friends at work
overconfidence	Used when stating that someone has excessive confidence, often leading to mistakes or failures due to a lack of caution. His overconfidence led him to attempt the exam without studying, resulting in poor marks
conceit	Used to depict a strong, unwarranted belief in one's own abilities or value, often leading to vanity. This term often carries a negative connotation. His conceit prevented him from acknowledging any flaws in his plan
haughtiness	Used when describing a person who is disdainfully proud and behaves as if they are superior to others. This term also carries a strong negative connotation. Her haughtiness was clear when she refused to speak to anyone she considered beneath her

Examples of usage

His cockiness often rubbed his teammates the wrong way.
Her cockiness led to her downfall in the competition.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in attitude

A feeling or display of self-importance or superiority.

Synonyms

egotism, pride, swagger, vanity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
cockiness	Often used when someone is overly confident in a way that can be annoying or disrespectful. It has a negative connotation. His cockiness made him a difficult teammate to work with
egotism	Describes someone who is excessively self-centered or self-important. It is negative and often linked to selfish behavior. His egotism was obvious when he started talking only about his achievements in the meeting
vanity	Indicates excessive pride in one's appearance or achievements, often superficial. It has a negative connotation. Her vanity made her spend hours in front of the mirror every day
swagger	Often describes a confident and sometimes aggressive way of walking or behaving. It can be used positively or negatively based on the context. He walked into the room with a confident swagger / His swagger annoyed everyone at the meeting
pride	Can be positive or negative, depending on the situation. Positive when someone has a healthy self-respect, negative when it becomes arrogance. She took great pride in her work / His pride made it hard for him to admit he was wrong

Examples of usage

His cockiness made him unpopular among his peers.
Her cockiness was a facade to hide her insecurities.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Cockiness can sometimes mask insecurity; overconfident individuals may be compensating for deeper self-doubt.
Research in social psychology suggests that while confidence can be beneficial, excessive cockiness can alienate others and backfire.
Studies show that people often assess cockiness negatively unless matched by demonstrated competence.

Pop Culture

Cockiness is frequently depicted in films and television, where characters often face humorous consequences for their arrogance.
In sports, athletes displaying cockiness can either be celebrated as confident leaders or criticized for lacking humility.
Celebrity culture often glorifies cockiness, with figures who project extreme self-assuredness being both admired and criticized in equal measure.

Literature

In Shakespeare's works, cockiness is often portrayed as a flaw that leads to a character's downfall, showcasing the tension between pride and humility.
Modern literature frequently uses cocky characters to drive humor and conflict, highlighting their eventual comeuppance.
Famous literary works often explore the theme of hubris, a form of cockiness that ultimately leads to tragedy.

Social Dynamics

In group settings, cockiness can disrupt balance, causing tension or competition among peers.
People may respond differently to cockiness based on cultural backgrounds; some cultures favor humility over overt self-confidence.
Social interactions are often influenced by perceived cockiness; individuals might avoid those who come off as too arrogant or self-involved.

Origin of 'cockiness'

Main points about word origin

The term 'cocky' originally referred to the behavior of a male rooster, which puffs up its feathers to show dominance.
The word has been used since the 16th century to describe someone overly self-assured or conceited.
It is derived from 'cock' (for rooster) combined with the suffix '-y', indicating a quality or characteristic.

The word 'cockiness' originated from the noun 'cocky', which is a colloquial term meaning conceited or self-assured. The term is believed to have first appeared in the mid-19th century, derived from the word 'cock' meaning a small boat or vessel that is lively and self-assured in its movements. Over time, 'cocky' evolved into 'cockiness' to describe the trait of being overly confident or arrogant. The word has since become a common descriptor for individuals who exhibit excessive pride or self-importance.

See also: cock, cockerel, cockeyed, cockpit, cockscomb, cocktail, cocky.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,032, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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