cock

USAGE SUMMARY

The word “cock” is correct and can be used in written English, depending on the context.
It is often used as a slang term for a rooster, but can also refer to a male’s genitalia. For example, you could write, “The proud cock crowed loudly before dawn.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Books

Sport

Tech

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

My cock was barely a ghost, but I did not suffer panic.

The Guardian - Books

Or something … Like the 'put your cock in a sock for ball cancer' campaign before it and the myriad other attention-seeking memes … the Coke/boob challenge allows people to show off their best assets while pretending that they give a shit.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Was that the sound of a cock crowing thrice?

The Guardian - Opinion

In the night he had tweeted, "I'm dreaming something about #time and #cock".

The Guardian - Tech

The Jezabels Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 1.21pm AEST02:21 "It's a bit of a cock forest, I've only seen one girl so far," says Lewi of the list, in another piece of broadcasting which would lead to resignations in the UK.

The Guardian

The surname is pronounced just as it looks - but Wolstenholme refused to say his name because it had the syllable "cock" in it, choosing instead to refer to him as "Trebilco".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

For connoisseurs of such cock-ups, the misattribution will perhaps be most reminiscent of East Germany's 1956 blunder in issuing a Robert Schumann stamp with a score in the background that happened to be by Schubert.

The Guardian - Books

The Australians do not come to New Road this time but the Black Caps are here, cock-a-hoop from the World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

Among a rich harvest of anecdotes and quotes in Press Gazette's valedictory tribute (incorporating a former Times night editor's blog) is the following Alton suggestion for his worst cock-up: "Our [Observer] magazine was running the 100 greatest ideas of the past 100 years.

The Guardian

In the village, I lie awake each night, unable to sleep over the monsoon rain which clatters against the thin roof, the incessant chirping of crickets; and the shrill cock-a-doodle-doos that send me stumbling out of bed and into a breakfast of mashed pumpkin, watery daal and jackfruit.

The Guardian - Travel

In addition, police found two coops with hundreds of chickens on the property that are part of an investigation into illegal cock-fighting, he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of your audience and context when using the term "cock" due to its vulgar connotations.

Common error

Avoid using "cock" in formal writing or professional settings where a more neutral or clinical term is appropriate. Using it incorrectly can lead to misunderstandings and offense.

Linguistic Context

The word "cock" primarily functions as a noun, denoting a male chicken, a component of a firearm, or male genitalia. According to Ludwig AI, the word is correct, but context-dependent.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Lifestyle

15%

Books

8%

Less common in

Sport

8%

Tech

4%

Travel

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "cock" is grammatically correct but carries diverse meanings, ranging from a male chicken ("rooster") to a vulgar reference to male genitalia. Ludwig AI indicates that its appropriateness is highly context-dependent. It appears frequently in News & Media, Lifestyle, and Book sources, with a register that varies from informal to vulgar. When writing, it's crucial to assess the audience and select a more appropriate alternative, such as "rooster" or "penis", in formal contexts to avoid offense or misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Rooster

Refers specifically to a male chicken, avoiding the vulgar connotations.

Penis

Directly substitutes the anatomical reference, maintaining clarity.

Hammer

Replaces the firearm component, suitable for mechanical contexts.

Valve

Substitutes for the plumbing component, suitable for mechanical contexts.

Tap

Substitutes for the plumbing component, suitable for mechanical contexts.

Weathercock

Specifies a vane in the shape of a cock, avoiding the vulgar connotations.

Leader

Replaces the sense of a chief man or master.

Swagger

Replaces the verb sense of strutting or looking menacing.

Strut

Replaces the verb sense of strutting or looking menacing.

Gun's hammer

Describes the firearm component more specifically.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "cock" when referring to a male chicken?

Use the term "rooster" to avoid vulgar connotations and ensure clarity.

Is it appropriate to use "cock" in formal writing?

It's generally not appropriate to use "cock" in formal writing due to its potential for misinterpretation and offense. Use more neutral or clinical terms depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to "cock" when referring to male genitalia?

Consider using more formal or clinical terms such as "penis", or more descriptive terms depending on the situation.

When is it acceptable to use the word "cock"?

The word "cock" is acceptable when referring to the hammer of a firearm or as part of established idioms like "cock a snook", but always consider your audience and the potential for misinterpretation.