# cocky

/ˈkɑki/ (US) · /kˈɒki/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. arrogant

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

too confident in a way that is annoying to other people.

For teachers: demonstrating excessive confidence or arrogance; often used to describe a person whose self-assurance is perceived as boastful or irritating.

- He was a bit too cocky after winning the first game and didn't practice for the second one.
- The young striker's cocky attitude in the post-match interview alienated many fans who preferred a more humble approach to victory.

Usage: Often used to describe young men or athletes who show off their skills.

Teaching tip: While 'confident' is positive, 'cocky' is almost always a criticism of someone's personality.

### 2. a farmer

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · American English · Dialect

a name for a farmer, especially one with a small farm.

For teachers: an informal term for a farmer, originally referring to small-scale 'cockatoo farmers' who settled on small plots of land.

- The local cocky said the rain would be good for the wheat crop this year.
- During the drought, many a struggling cocky had to rely on government subsidies just to keep their livestock fed.

Usage: Commonly used in rural areas of Australia and New Zealand.

Teaching tip: This is a regional term; learners should be aware it might not be understood outside of Australia or New Zealand.

### 3. a cockatoo

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal · American English · Dialect

a friendly name for a cockatoo bird.

For teachers: a familiar or hypocoristic name for a cockatoo.

- We kept a pet cocky in a large cage on the veranda.
- The screeching of a wild cocky in the gum tree made it impossible to hear the rest of the conversation.

## Examples

- He is too cocky about his driving skills.
- The young player looked cocky after scoring the first goal, but he lost focus soon after.
- His cocky demeanor masked a deep insecurity that only surfaced when he faced genuine criticism from his peers.

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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.