cocksure
Arrogantly self-assured
Cocksure means completely confident, often to the point of arrogance.
Someone cocksure acts certain they're right, sometimes without justification: He was cocksure he'd get the job.
The word carries a negative edge—cocksure people tend to be overconfident or smug.
Despite appearances, the word has no vulgar origin; it likely derives from an old sense of cock meaning "secure" or "set."
Ostentatiously self-assured manner
- boastfulGiven to self-praise
- presumptuousOverstepping appropriate boundaries
- hubristicExcessively proud, inviting downfall
- rashHeedless or skin irritation
reckless · foolhardy · bullish · self-satisfied · complacent · blustering · overweening · hasty
Excessively self-satisfied
- conceitedExcessively proud of oneself
- pompousAffectedly grand in manner
- haughtyDisdainfully proud
- self-importantExaggerating one's own significance
supercilious · vainglorious · snobbish · egotistical · disdainful · contemptuous · patronizing · condescending
Shamelessly bold
- audaciousRecklessly or disrespectfully fearless
- cheekyPlayfully disrespectful
- impudentDisrespectfully bold
- brassyBold and tastelessly loud
bold-faced · saucy · mouthy · sassy · flip · fresh · insolent · impertinent
Affirming or certain
- convincedFirmly believing something
- assuredCertain or self-possessed
- unhesitatingActing without delay
- unshakeableImpossible to disturb
absolute · definite · unwavering · steadfast · dogmatic · categorical · emphatic · unequivocal
swaggering
Ostentatiously self-assured manner
- boastfulGiven to self-praise
- presumptuousOverstepping appropriate boundaries
- hubristicExcessively proud, inviting downfall
rash · reckless · foolhardy · bullish · self-satisfied · complacent · blustering · overweening · hasty · impetuous
smug
Excessively self-satisfied
self-important · supercilious · vainglorious · snobbish · egotistical · disdainful · contemptuous · patronizing · condescending · high-and-mighty
brazen
Shamelessly bold
- audaciousRecklessly or disrespectfully fearless
- cheekyPlayfully disrespectful
- impudentDisrespectfully bold
brassy · bold-faced · saucy · mouthy · sassy · flip · fresh · insolent · impertinent · wise-guy
positive
Affirming or certain
- convincedFirmly believing something
- assuredCertain or self-possessed
- unhesitatingActing without delay
unshakeable · absolute · definite · unwavering · steadfast · dogmatic · categorical · emphatic · unequivocal · decided
cocksurehumble
Unassuming about oneself
open-minded · circumspect · cautious · dubious · questioning