coy

[koi]

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.

Origin of coy

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

Related formscoy·ish, adjectivecoy·ish·ness, nouncoy·ly, adverbcoy·ness, nouno·ver·coy, adjectiveo·ver·coy·ly, adverbo·ver·coy·ness, nounun·coy, adjectiveun·coy·ly, adverbun·coy·ness, noun

Synonyms for coy

2. retiring, diffident, bashful, demure.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for coyly

Contemporary Examples of coyly

Carter coyly characterizes the setting as “a room” and the time period as “yes.”
The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson (And Tolstoy and Dickens)
Samuel Fragoso
October 26, 2014
If he coyly waffles this time around, his support will evaporate quicker than you can say Fred Thompson.
Reanimated and Ready: The Unstoppable Huckenstein
James Poulos
January 31, 2014
Verveer is headed for a prestigious think-tank spot, but she coyly provided no details.
John Kerry vs. Bob Woodward
Lloyd Grove
January 20, 2013
Coyly, Rosenfeld chooses does not to identify whom he believes were the true subversives.
The FBI’s Harassment and Spying on 1960s Students Revealed in 'Subversives' by Seth Rosenfeld
Michael Kazin
August 23, 2012
But when I asked Haneke if he agrees with this argument, he coyly replied, “If you like.”
Michael Haneke Film ‘Amour’ Explores Euthanasia and the Purity of Love
Richard Porton
May 23, 2012

Historical Examples of coyly

He tried to sniff noses with her, but she retreated playfully and coyly.
White Fang
Jack London
"Too coyly for him to credit her with overmuch tenderness," suggested the bridegroom.
Standish of Standish
Jane G. Austin
The girl held a tight grip on the leash and looked at him coyly.
The Monster
S. M. Tenneshaw
He had neither gossiped nor coyly squeezed her hand as he had guided her.
Free Air
Sinclair Lewis
And he bowed to Suzanne, who stood beside him coyly, looking down.
The Crossing
Winston Churchill

British Dictionary definitions for coyly

coy

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 coyly

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.