coy

[ koi ]

/ kɔɪ /

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See synonyms for: coy / coyishness / coyness on Thesaurus.com

adjective, coy·er, coy·est.

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

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR coy

2 retiring, diffident, bashful, demure.

See synonyms for coy on Thesaurus.com

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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

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

o·ver·coy, adjectiveo·ver·coy·ness, nounun·coy, adjectiveun·coy·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use coy in a sentence

Sarah Palin hit Oprah with a power suit perfectly designed to project coyness.
What Palin's Clothes Reveal|Vanessa Friedman|November 17, 2009|DAILY BEAST
In general, the girl-child, when in love, displays far less coyness and reserve than the young woman.
The Sexual Life of the Child|Albert Moll
"Well, I'm sure you're among friends when you're here," Mrs. O'Brien said with a downcast look of melting coyness.
The Rosie World|Parker Fillmore
We struck up an acquaintance with him, after a few days of coyness on his part, and finally made him a friend.
Artists and Arabs|Henry Blackburn

Maiden coyness and love of liberty might make her as willing to elude his approach as her friends could wish.
Magnum Bonum|Charlotte M. Yonge
Mrs. Butters' coyness and refusal to be embraced because of the flask of coffee in her bosom is an instance of this.
A Woman's Part in a Revolution|Natalie Harris Hammond

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, noun

Word 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