coquettish

American  

[koh-ket-ish] / koʊˈkɛt ɪʃ /

adjective

1. (of a woman) characteristically flirtatious, especially in a teasing, lighthearted manner.

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Other Word Forms

• coquettishly adverb
• coquettishness noun
• uncoquettish adjective
• uncoquettishly adverb
• uncoquettishness noun

Etymology

Origin of coquettish

First recorded in 1685–95; coquett(e) ( def. ) + -ish ¹ ( def. )

Explanation

Coquettish describes a woman's flirtatious manner. If you were acting in a coquettish way, you might banter playfully and bat your eyelashes. Coquettish is the adjective form of the noun coquette, a young, flirtatious woman. Coquette is the feminine diminutive of the French word coq, which means cockerel or rooster. The word was originally applied to men in the form of coquet to express how men would strut to attract women the same way roosters do to attract hens. Using coquet for a flirtatious male is now rare, but the feminine version remains.

Example Sentences

Patrons laughed at a corny but cute puppet show starring Casa Bonita’s dishes, from a chirpy hard-shelled taco to a coquettish sopaipilla.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 23, 2025

And Burns nearly steals the second act in her brief solo, “Memory,” a coquettish dream of past flames.

From New York Times • Mar. 16, 2023

"I think I'm camp rather than coquettish," she counters.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2021

The current season presents Diana, played by Emma Corrin, as young and coquettish.

From Salon • Nov. 21, 2020

“Well, of course, our readers would be profoundly interested . . .” He put his head on one side, his smile became almost coquettish.

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley