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Synonyms

coy

American  
[koi] / kɔɪ /

adjective

coyer, coyest

  1. artfully or affectedly shy or reserved; slyly hesitant; coquettish.

  2. shy; modest.

    Synonyms:
    demure, bashful, diffident, retiring

  3. 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.

  4. Archaic. disdainful; aloof.

  5. 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.

coy 1 British  
/ kɔɪ /

adjective

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

  2. shy; modest

  3. evasive, esp in an annoying way

"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
Coy. 2 British  

abbreviation

  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

Other Word Forms

  • coyish adjective
  • coyishness noun
  • coyly adverb
  • coyness noun
  • overcoy adjective
  • overcoyness noun
  • uncoy adjective
  • uncoyness noun

Etymology

Origin of coy

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And though he played coy during the hearing about whether Mullin still had his vote, he delivered the clinching “aye” to advance the nomination on Thursday.

From Slate • Mar. 21, 2026

She was similarly coy when asked if being number one for the first time was on her radar.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

The coy initials look a little like something a romantic kid might carve into a tree.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025

But executives are coy about how - or whether - they plan to incorporate Warner Brothers and its flagship HBO brand into the existing Netflix service.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2025

Gregg had once told Agent Burger that he knew something about the murders, though he remained coy, insisting that he couldn’t betray a confidence.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.