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cockscomb

cockscomb

9.9
A man who is too proud of his looks and clothes
  • noun
  • /ˈkɑksˌkoʊm/
  • Offensive
translation icon : petimetre
  • He strutted through the ballroom like a true cockscomb, drawing every eye to his flashy outfit.

Examples

  • The novel mocks the cockscomb who thinks too highly of his clever wit and fashion sense.

  • In the old court, a cockscomb would often be the subject of ridicule for his vanity.

  • He is such a cockscomb with his flashy clothes.

  • Why must he always act like a cockscomb?

  • In the 18th century, a proud cockscomb would often be seen preening in front of the mirror, admiring his own reflection.

  • The dandy, known as the town's biggest cockscomb, always wore expensive tailcoats and carried a gold-tipped cane.

  • Everyone knew he was a cockscomb; he never missed a chance to boast about his latest achievements.

Synonyms

coxcomb
vscockscomb
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A man who cares too much about his looks and acts proud

is an archaic term no longer used in modern speech
swellhead
vscockscomb
  • Offensive
9.4

A person who thinks they are better than other people

is about proud showy appearance rather than general selfishness
bighead
vscockscomb
  • Offensive
6.8

A person who is too proud and thinks they know more than others

is more about proud showy appearance than mere arrogance

Compounds

A garden plant with bright red or yellow feathery flower spikes

How Conceited

cockscomb
  • Offensive
9.9
fop
  • Offensive
5 9.9
dandy
  • Archaic
22 8.2

Surface Forms

cockscomb singular
cockscombs plural

Morphology

cockscomb = cock + comb (opaque) = cock + comb

The sense 'conceited man' is an idiomatic, archaic extension; the link to the literal rooster crest is metaphorical and not derivable by standard rules.

Etymology

Cockscomb was also an old name for a vain, showy man because he behaved like a rooster that shows off its bright cock 'rooster' comb 'crest'. So a proud dandy could be called a cockscomb.