Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

coxcomb

/ˈkɒks.koʊm/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 1.63 in modern English

Syllables: cox-comb
IPA: /ˈkɒks.koʊm/

22

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The cap of a court jester, adorned with a red stripe.

noun

The fleshy red pate of a rooster.

noun

A foolish or conceited person; a dandy.

Example Sentences

"Thanks to my stars, I once can see / A window here from scribbling free! / Here no conceited coxcombs pass, / To scratch their paltry drabs on glass; / Nor party-fool is calling names, / Or dealing crowns to George and James."
"[F]or tho' I am afraid the Doctor was a little of a Coxcomb, he might be nevertheleſs very much of a Surgeon."
"And she nearly started a fight between two young fops in plumed hats and flouncy collars: "Clay-brained coxcomb!" "Mewling milk-livered maggot!""

Etymology

From Middle English cokke’s comb.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: cokke

Inflected Forms

coxcombs (plural) cockscomb (alternative)

Derived Forms

coxcombed coxcombery coxcombic coxcombical coxcombically coxcombly coxcombry coxcomby

Phrases

coxcomb chart

Synonyms

fool popinjay comb cockscomb

Questions

How do you pronounce coxcomb?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈkɒks.koʊm/.
What does coxcomb mean?: The cap of a court jester, adorned with a red stripe.
Where does coxcomb come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce coxcomb

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “coxcomb”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈkɒks.koʊm/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “coxcomb”.
Repeat and practice — Say “coxcomb” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.