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.

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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

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Coy. ² British  

abbreviation

1. company

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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

United are understandably coy about this, but with good reason.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

And though he played coy during the hearing about whether Mullin still had his vote, he delivered the clinching “aye” to advance the nomination on Thursday.

From Slate • Mar. 21, 2026

In a coy bit of casting, Smith appears here as a “Wildcard” judge alongside the D.J.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

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

From Barron's • Dec. 21, 2025

“What I do happen to know,” I said, being maybe a tiny bit coy, “is that a civet cat got all of the Nguzas’ hens last Sunday.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

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