coy

[ koi ]

/ kɔɪ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR coy ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, coy·er, coy·est.

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

shy; modest.

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.

Archaic. disdainful; aloof.

Obsolete. quiet; reserved.

verb (used without object)

Archaic. to act in a coy manner.

verb (used with object) Obsolete.

to quiet; soothe.

to pat; caress.

Nearby words

coxsackie encephalitis, coxsackie virus, coxsackievirus, coxswain, coxwell chair, coy, coy., coydog, coyly, coyote, coyote state

Origin of coy

1300–50; Middle English < Anglo-French coi, quoy calm, Old French quei < Vulgar Latin *quētus, for Latin quiētus quiet¹

SYNONYMS FOR coy

2 retiring, diffident, bashful, demure.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR coy ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

coy·ish, adjectivecoy·ish·ness, nouncoy·ly, adverbcoy·ness, noun

o·ver·coy, adjectiveo·ver·coy·ly, adverbo·ver·coy·ness, nounun·coy, adjectiveun·coy·ly, adverbun·coy·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for coy

Romney is coy at best about 2016, although his old running mate, Paul Ryan, wants him to run.
The Rhinohawks Come Roaring Back|James Poulos|September 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At his press conference, Obama was coy about future changes in immigration law through executive order.
In Passover Phone Conversation, Eric Cantor Slams Obama|Eleanor Clift|April 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Did Mia stop to think how her coy tease might be perceived by the widow Sinatra?
The Woody Allen Allegations: Not So Fast|Robert B. Weide|January 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At least he isn't pulling a Taylor Swift and trying to be coy about who the song is about.
Lady Gaga Goes Naked on ‘ARTPOP’ Album Cover, Miley Cyrus Insults Matt Lauer’s Sex Life|Culture Team|October 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Coy readers should heed the lesson learned by the young woman in “The Squirrel.”
Read This and Blush: Naughty Medieval French Tales|Yunte Huang|June 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
"Coy Maiden" is a graceful thing, but hardly deserves the punishment of so horrible a name.
Contemporary American Composers|Rupert Hughes
If Mr. Donald Estey had expected Mrs. Darling to be shy and coy at his advances, he found himself entirely mistaken.
The Road to Understanding|Eleanor H. Porter
This was his ingenious way of storming the citadel of the coy maiden's affections.
Second Book of Tales|Eugene Field
Why should she hesitate, and play the coy girl, and pretend to any doubts in her mind which did not exist there?
The Belton Estate|Anthony Trollope
From this point to the end is the work of a later period, and in his best manner, though unsuited to the coy Clerk.
Chaucer's Works, Volume 5 (of 7) -- Notes to the Canterbury Tales|Geoffrey Chaucer

British Dictionary definitions for coy

coy

/ (kɔɪ) /

adjective

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

shy; modest

evasive, esp in an annoying way

Derived Formscoyish, adjectivecoyly, adverbcoyness, noun

Word Origin for coy

C14: from Old French coi reserved, from Latin quiētus quiet

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

Word Origin and History for coy

coy

adj.

early 14c., "quiet, modest, demure," from Old French coi, earlier quei "quiet, still, placid, gentle," ultimately from Latin quietus "resting, at rest" (see quiet (n.)). Meaning "shy" emerged late 14c. Meaning "unwilling to commit" is 1961. Related: Coyly; coyness.

coy