What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
brash
Example
He made a brash decision without considering the consequences. [brash: adjective]
Example
Her brash behavior at the party offended some of the guests. [brash: noun]
cocky
Example
He always acts so cocky, as if he knows everything. [cocky: adjective]
Example
Her cockiness often rubs people the wrong way. [cockiness: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cocky is more commonly used than brash in everyday language. Cocky is a term that is often used to describe someone's personality or behavior, while brash is more commonly used to describe specific actions or decisions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between brash and cocky?
Both brash and cocky have an informal tone, but brash can be used in a wider range of formality levels. Cocky is generally considered more informal and may not be appropriate in formal contexts.