coy

[ koi ]
See synonyms for: coycoyishnesscoyness on Thesaurus.com

adjective,coy·er, coy·est.
  1. artfully or affectedly shy or reserved; slyly hesitant; coquettish.

  1. showing reluctance, especially when insincere or affected, to reveal one's plans or opinions, make a commitment, or take a stand: The mayor was coy about his future political aspirations.

  2. Archaic. disdainful; aloof.

  3. Obsolete. quiet; reserved.

verb (used without object)
  1. Archaic. to act in a coy manner.

verb (used with object)Obsolete.
  1. to quiet; soothe.

  2. to pat; caress.

Origin of coy

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French coi, quoy “calm,” Old French quei, from unattested Vulgar Latin quētus, for Latin quiētus quiet

Other words for coy

Other words from coy

  • coy·ish, adjective
  • coy·ish·ness, noun
  • coy·ly, adverb
  • coy·ness, noun
  • o·ver·coy, adjective
  • o·ver·coy·ness, noun
  • un·coy, adjective
  • un·coy·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use coy in a sentence

  • Sarah Palin hit Oprah with a power suit perfectly designed to project coyness.

    What Palin's Clothes Reveal | Vanessa Friedman | November 17, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • In general, the girl-child, when in love, displays far less coyness and reserve than the young woman.

  • "Well, I'm sure you're among friends when you're here," Mrs. O'Brien said with a downcast look of melting coyness.

    The Rosie World | Parker Fillmore
  • We struck up an acquaintance with him, after a few days of coyness on his part, and finally made him a friend.

    Artists and Arabs | Henry Blackburn
  • Maiden coyness and love of liberty might make her as willing to elude his approach as her friends could wish.

    Magnum Bonum | Charlotte M. Yonge
  • Mrs. Butters' coyness and refusal to be embraced because of the flask of coffee in her bosom is an instance of this.

    A Woman's Part in a Revolution | Natalie Harris Hammond

British Dictionary definitions for coy (1 of 2)

coy

/ (kɔɪ) /


adjective
  1. (usually of a woman) affectedly demure, esp in a playful or provocative manner

  2. shy; modest

  1. evasive, esp in an annoying way

Origin of coy

1
C14: from Old French coi reserved, from Latin quiētus quiet

Derived forms of coy

  • coyish, adjective
  • coyly, adverb
  • coyness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for Coy. (2 of 2)

Coy.

/ military /


abbreviation for
  1. company

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012