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

---

Coy. ² British  

abbreviation

1. company

---

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

Hearts fans, at least, can stop playing coy.

From BBC

Hawk is coy on what exactly will come next, but says he has been writing new songs over the past several months.

From BBC

But Emery's coy approach to Villa's growing title momentum can't obscure the facts.

From Barron's

It arrived at the table like a jewel, its colors shimmering as if coy about its own perfection.

From Salon

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

Related Words

• bashful
• evasive
• self-effacing
• skittish
• timid