coy
[ koi ]
/ kɔɪ /
Save This Word!
adjective, coy·er, coy·est.
verb (used without object)
Archaic. to act in a coy manner.
verb (used with object) Obsolete.
to quiet; soothe.
to pat; caress.
QUIZ
GOOSES. GEESES. I WANT THIS QUIZ ON PLURAL NOUNS!
Test how much you really know about regular and irregular plural nouns with this quiz.
Question 1 of 9
Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?
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
OTHER WORDS FROM coy
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use coy in a sentence
In thy talk and in thy toying, In thy jest and in thy joying, In thy kissing, in thy coying.
Aucassin and Nicolette|AnonymousShe threw from her, at once, as vain and wicked and false, all idea of coying her love.
The Eustace Diamonds|Anthony Trollope
British Dictionary definitions for coy (1 of 2)
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 forms of coy
coyish, adjectivecoyly, adverbcoyness, nounWord Origin for coy
C14: from Old French coi reserved, from Latin quiētus quiet
British Dictionary definitions for coy (2 of 2)
Coy.
/ military /
abbreviation for
company
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