Cockiness

/ˈkɑkinəs/ noun

Definition

The quality or state of being arrogant, boastful, and overly confident in an annoying way.

Etymology

From 'cocky' + '-ness' (noun suffix), creating an abstract noun in the standard English pattern for forming nouns from adjectives.

Kelly Says

Cockiness is fascinating psychologically because it's distinct from confidence—confident people prepare and succeed, but cocky people are overconfident before they've proven themselves, which often leads to dramatic failures that become cautionary tales.

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