cockamamie
Cockamamie (adj) means ridiculous, implausible, or poorly thought out. Example: “He came up with some cockamamie excuse for being late.”
How to Use Cockamamie
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAbsurd or far-fetched, used informally about ideas, excuses, or plans.
Informal, mostly American English.
Word Forms
more cockamamie comparative, cockamamies plural, most cockamamie superlative
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
He came up with some _____ excuse for being late.
Etymology
Believed to be an American mangling of French décalcomanie, the process of transferring printed designs (decals) onto surfaces — the word drifted from "cheap novelty transfer" to "silly and unconvincing."
Rhymes for cockamamie
See all rhymes for cockamamie →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “cockamamie” mean?
The word “cockamamie” means ridiculous, implausible, or poorly thought out. In plain terms, absurd or far-fetched, used informally about ideas, excuses, or plans.
How do you pronounce “cockamamie”?
“Cockamamie” is pronounced kok-uh-MAY-mee (/ˌkɑ.kəˈmeɪ.mi/ in IPA).
How do you use “cockamamie” in a sentence?
Here is “cockamamie” used in a sentence: “He came up with some cockamamie excuse for being late.”
What part of speech is “cockamamie”?
“Cockamamie” is an adjective.
Where does the word “cockamamie” come from?
The word “cockamamie” comes from French. Believed to be an American mangling of French décalcomanie, the process of transferring printed designs (decals) onto surfaces — the word drifted from "cheap novelty transfer" to "silly and unconvincing.".