Cocky means overly confident in a way that comes across as arrogant or dismissive of others. A cocky person doesn't just feel good about their abilities: they act superior and show off in ways that rub people the wrong way.

Picture a basketball player who makes one great shot and then struts around saying “Nobody can guard me!” while his teammates roll their eyes. Or imagine a student who aces one test and then tells everyone else, “This stuff is so easy, I don't know why you all struggle with it.” That swagger that crosses the line from confidence into rudeness? That's being cocky.

The difference between confidence and cockiness matters. A confident person believes in themselves but still respects others and stays humble. A cocky person acts like they're better than everyone else and doesn't need to try hard or learn anything new. Ironically, cockiness often backfires: the cocky athlete who stops practicing gets beaten by someone who worked harder, and the cocky student who stops studying eventually fails a test.

Being cocky usually comes before a fall, which is why people sometimes say “pride comes before a fall” when they see someone acting too big for their britches.