# cockney

/ˈkɑkni/ (US) · /kˈɒkni/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cockney
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a person from East London

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a person born in the East End of London, traditionally within hearing distance of the Bow Bells.

For teachers: a native of the East End of London, specifically one born within the sound of the bells of St Mary-le-Bow church.

- My grandfather was a true Cockney who grew up near the docks.
- While the term is often applied to any working-class Londoner, a true Cockney must technically be born within earshot of the Bow Bells.

### 2. the dialect or accent

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

the specific accent and way of speaking used by people from East London.

For teachers: the distinct working-class dialect of London, characterised by specific phonological features and rhyming slang.

- He spoke with a thick Cockney accent that was hard for tourists to understand.
- The actor spent months working with a voice coach to master the nuances of Cockney for his role as a Victorian street merchant.

### 3. relating to Cockneys

adjective · CEFR B2 · British English

relating to the people or the language of the East End of London.

For teachers: pertaining to the inhabitants, culture, or speech patterns of the East End of London.

- We went to a traditional Cockney pub for some pie and mash.
- The play features several Cockney characters whose dialogue is peppered with traditional rhyming slang.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.