noun
Cockney
KOK-nee
Cockney (noun) means a person from the East End of London, traditionally one born within hearing of the Bow Bells; also, more loosely, any working-class Londoner. Example: “Her grandfather was a proud cockney from Bethnal Green.”
noun
1
A person from the East End of London, traditionally one born within hearing of the Bow Bells; also, more loosely, any working-class Londoner.
"Her grandfather was a proud cockney from Bethnal Green."
2
The distinctive accent and dialect associated with these Londoners.
"He slipped into a broad cockney whenever he got excited."
How to use Cockney
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA working-class East Londoner, or the accent they speak.
Common pairings
cockney rhyming slang
a cockney accent
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Cockney.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- Cockneys
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her grandfather was a proud _____ from Bethnal Green.
Etymology
First recorded around 1600, from Middle English cokenay, originally meaning a spoilt or pampered child, later used by country folk as a mocking term for city dwellers.
Class of 1600
Cockney joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for Cockney
See all rhymes for Cockney →Frequently asked questions
What does “Cockney” mean?
The word “Cockney” means a person from the East End of London, traditionally one born within hearing of the Bow Bells; also, more loosely, any working-class Londoner. In plain terms, a working-class East Londoner, or the accent they speak.
How do you pronounce “Cockney”?
“Cockney” is pronounced KOK-nee (/ˈkɒk.ni/ in IPA).
How do you use “Cockney” in a sentence?
Here is “Cockney” used in a sentence: “Her grandfather was a proud cockney from Bethnal Green.”
What is another word for “Cockney”?
Words with a similar meaning to “Cockney” include pansy and sissy.
What part of speech is “Cockney”?
“Cockney” is a noun.
Where does the word “Cockney” come from?
The word “Cockney” dates back to around 1600 and comes from Middle English. First recorded around 1600, from Middle English cokenay, originally meaning a spoilt or pampered child, later used by country folk as a mocking term for city dwellers.
How many meanings does “Cockney” have?
“Cockney” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person from the East End of London, traditionally one born within hearing of the Bow Bells; also, more loosely, any working-class Londoner.
