Cockiest

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Showing an attitude of extreme self-confidence or arrogance
2. Exhibiting a bold and overly proud demeanor
3. Displaying a strong sense of superiority or boastfulness

Etymology: "Cockiest" is the superlative of "cocky," and the story runs through the barnyard. The root is "cock," the male domestic chicken, and the suffix "-y" was added to it, a formation that can mean "having the quality of" something. A cocky person, in other words, behaves like a rooster: strutting, crowing, and convinced of their own importance. The superlative simply names the most rooster-like of a group. The same base also gave "cocky" a diminutive sense. Because "-y" can shrink a word affectionately, the adjective could carry a note of small, endearing bravado as well as arrogance. That double edge still lingers: "cocky" can mean brash or self-assured in a way that is more cheeky than cruel.

Synonyms: arrogant, conceited, proud, overconfident, sassy

Antonyms: humble, modest, meek, subdued, reserved