coxcomb

UK: /ˈkɒksˌkəʊm/ US: /ˈkɑksˌkoʊm/ ,(koks′kōm′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

cox•comb /ˈkɑksˌkoʊm/   n. [countable]

1. a conceited, foolish, or pretentious man;
   fop.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

cox•comb  (koks′kōm′), n. 

1. a conceited, foolish dandy; pretentious fop.
2. [Archaic.] head;
   pate.
3. [Obs.] cockscomb (def. 2).

• spelling, spelled variant of cockscomb 1565–75

cox•comb•i•cal  (koks kom′i kəl, -kō′mi-), cox•comb′ic, adj.  cox•comb′i•cal•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. dude, popinjay, jackanapes.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

coxcomb / ˈkɒksˌkəʊm/ noun

1. a variant spelling of cockscomb
2. the cap, resembling a cock's comb, worn by a jester

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

cocks•comb /ˈkɑksˌkoʊm/   n. [countable]

1. Birds the red growth or comb that grows on the top of the head of a cock.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

cocks•comb  (koks′kōm′), n. 

1. Birds the comb or caruncle of a cock.
2. the cap, resembling a cock's comb, formerly worn by professional fools.
3. Plant Biology a garden plant, Celosia cristata, of the amaranth family, with flowers, commonly crimson or purple, in a broad spike somewhat resembling the comb of a cock.
4. Plant Biology any of several other species of the genus Celosia.
5. Fish an elongate prickleback, Anoplarchus purpurescens, living among submerged rocks along the Pacific coast of North America.
6. a gaslight burner having four or more jets.
7. coxcomb (def. 1).

• 1350–1400; Middle English; see cock, 's¹, comb¹

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

cockscomb, coxcomb / ˈkɒksˌkəʊm/ noun

1. the comb of a domestic cock
2. an amaranthaceous garden or pot plant, Celosia cristata, with yellow, crimson, or purple feathery plumelike flowers in a broad spike resembling the comb of a cock
3. a conceited dandy