First Known Use: 1608
Dictionary
cocksure
adjective cock·sure \ˈkäk-ˈshu̇r\
: having or showing confidence in a way that is annoying to other people
Full Definition of COCKSURE
1
: feeling perfect assurance sometimes on inadequate grounds
2
: marked by overconfidence or presumptuousness : cocky
— cock·sure·ly adverb
— cock·sure·ness noun
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Origin of COCKSURE
probably from 1cock + sure
Related to COCKSURE
Synonym Discussion of COCKSURE
sure, certain, positive, cocksure mean having no doubt or uncertainty. sure usually stresses the subjective or intuitive feeling of assurance <felt sure that I had forgotten something>. certain may apply to a basing of a conclusion or conviction on definite grounds or indubitable evidence <police are certain about the cause of the fire>. positive intensifies sureness or certainty and may imply opinionated conviction or forceful expression of it <I'm positive that's the person I saw>. cocksure implies presumptuous or careless positiveness <you're always so cocksure about everything>.
Rhymes with COCKSURE
abjure, adjure, Adour, allure, amour, Ashur, assure, brochure, ceinture, coiffure, conjure, contour, couture, demure, detour, dirt-poor, endure, ensure, faubourg, for sure, Fraktur, grandeur, gravure, guipure, hachure, immure, impure, insure, inure, kultur, land-poor, langur, ligure, manure, mature, mohur, obscure, parure, perdure, procure, rondure, secure, siddur, tambour, tandoor, tenure, Uighur, unmoor, velour, velure
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