noun

cocking

Cocking (noun) means the practice of raising and pitting gamecocks against each other; cockfighting. Example: “Cocking was once a popular, if brutal, spectator sport in rural England.”

noun

The practice of raising and pitting gamecocks against each other; cockfighting.

"Cocking was once a popular, if brutal, spectator sport in rural England."

adjective

British slang used to mean worthless, annoying, or contemptible.

"He called the whole scheme a cocking waste of time."

How to use cocking

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHistorically the sport of fighting roosters; informally, a mild swear-adjacent insult in British slang.

When to use it

The adjective sense is informal and mildly vulgar British slang.

Word forms

cockings plural, Cockings plural

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_____ was once a popular, if brutal, spectator sport in rural England.

Etymology

From cock (a male bird, especially a rooster) plus the suffix -ing.

Rhymes for cocking

mocking rocking docking Locking stocking shocking knocking blocking clocking flocking interlocking

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Frequently asked questions

What does “cocking” mean?

The word “cocking” means the practice of raising and pitting gamecocks against each other; cockfighting. In plain terms, historically the sport of fighting roosters; informally, a mild swear-adjacent insult in British slang.

How do you use “cocking” in a sentence?

Here is “cocking” used in a sentence: “Cocking was once a popular, if brutal, spectator sport in rural England.”

What part of speech is “cocking”?

Depending on how it is used, “cocking” can be a noun and an adjective.

How many meanings does “cocking” have?

“Cocking” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the practice of raising and pitting gamecocks against each other; cockfighting.