coy
adjective
artfully or affectedly shy or reserved; slyly hesitant; coquettish.
coyness
-
a word derived from
coy.
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.
Watts laughs and says no more, less out of coyness than serenity.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 20, 2025
Santos can sometimes sing with a coyness that feels impossibly dreamy, but Turizo, less bound by tradition, pushes hard into the beat, a restless interloper.
From New York Times ● Jan. 6, 2023
Zappe’s coyness aside, things seemed to be trending in that direction as New England began preparing to host Detroit.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 5, 2022
But the map itself isn’t coyness or frustration for its own sake.
From The Verge ● Apr. 4, 2022
He watched the expression of coyness on her face change to one of amazement as she counted the bills.
From "Native Son" by Richard Wright
