What does cockily mean?
Cockily is an adverb meaning “in a jaunty, self-confident, or swaggering manner.” It is especially useful for describing someone who behaves with conspicuous confidence, often adding a playful note of irreverence or challenge. A person might cockily announce a success, cockily grin at a rival, or cockily enter a room as if expecting attention. The word can be admiring when it suggests high spirits or boldness, but it can also carry criticism by implying that the confidence is overstated, boastful, or impudent. Its vivid sound makes it particularly effective in informal writing and speech. Although it is closely related to the adjective cocky, cockily focuses on the manner of the behavior rather than directly describing the person’s character.
adverbIn a jaunty, self-confident, or slightly impudent manner. It can suggest boldness and swagger, or a degree of overconfidence.
- In a jaunty, confident, or swaggering manner.
- In an impudent or slightly overconfident manner, often with a hint of criticism.
"She cockily announced that she had solved the problem before anyone else had finished reading it."
"He cockily tipped his hat and walked away without another word."
"The young politician cockily claimed the victory before the results had been announced."
Cockily turns self-confidence into a strut.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cockily
Cockily was formed by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to the adjective cocky. Cocky itself developed in early modern English from cock with the suffix -y, in the sense of being proud, boastful, or self-assured. The expression later broadened to include jaunty confidence as well as swagger or impudence.
How cockily is actually used
Cockily is informal and often colorful. It may be approving when it describes confident, lively behavior, but it can also imply arrogance, brazenness, or an excessive lack of restraint.
Easily confused with cockily
Cockily describes confident or jaunty behavior, whereas coyly describes behavior that is shy, reserved, or playfully evasive.
Cocky is the adjective meaning self-confident or impudent, while cockily is the adverb describing how that attitude is expressed.