coy
- 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.
- Archaic. to act in a coy manner.
- to quiet; soothe.
- to pat; caress.
Origin of coy
Synonyms for coy
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words for coy
self-effacing, timid, bashful, skittish, evasive, backward, blushing, demure, diffident, flirtatious, humble, kittenish, prudish, reserved, retiring, shrinking, shy, coquettish, rabbity, unassertiveExamples from the Web for coy
Contemporary Examples of coy
Romney is coy at best about 2016, although his old running mate, Paul Ryan, wants him to run.
At his press conference, Obama was coy about future changes in immigration law through executive order.
Did Mia stop to think how her coy tease might be perceived by the widow Sinatra?
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 LifeCulture Team
October 7, 2013
Coy readers should heed the lesson learned by the young woman in “The Squirrel.”
Historical Examples of coy
And Mrs. Oldaker, with a coy fillip of her fan, called him a naughty boy.
The SpendersHarry Leon Wilson
Imogen was not coy; she would not have treated her admirer with affected disdain.
ImogenWilliam Godwin
Just from that you can realize how he had me guessing, for it takes quite some jolt to make me coy.
Once to Every ManLarry Evans
But the spirit of industry, once driven forth, returns with coy steps.
Sketches in Lavender, Blue and GreenJerome K. Jerome
There was coy conversation, while the civilian telephone-service suffered.
MoraleMurray Leinster
coy
- (usually of a woman) affectedly demure, esp in a playful or provocative manner
- shy; modest
- evasive, esp in an annoying way
Word Origin for coy
Word Origin and History for coy
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.