coquettish

American

[koh-ket-ish] / koʊˈkɛt ɪʃ /

adjective

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

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. )

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.

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

Responding to the report of his influence in the former president’s orbit, Yoo issued a for-public-consumption coquettish non-denial denial of his ambition.

From Salon • Jul. 17, 2024

Shy, bold, coquettish or mocking, a woman’s smile is richly signifying, something that Wilde, an actress turned director, certainly knows.

From New York Times • Sep. 21, 2022

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

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2021

We bobbed our hair and wore cloche hats at coquettish angles and tried to sound like Gloria Swanson.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García

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