coy

[koi]

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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.

Nearby words

Origin of coy

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

SYNONYMS FOR coy

2. retiring, diffident, bashful, demure.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR coy ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

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

o·ver·coy, adjectiveo·ver·coy·ly, adverbo·ver·coy·ness, nounun·coy, adjectiveun·coy·ly, adverbun·coy·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for coyness

They, however, like Saiawush in the Shahnamah, are fond of coyness until they have determined to yield to the force of love.
Oriental Women|Edward Bagby Pollard
From time to time he rallied him on his coyness under the fascinations of beef-steak, lager beer, apricots and Devonshire cream.
The Divine Fire|May Sinclair
The interest excited in the village, though real, was hardly enough to bring a serious blush to the face of coyness.
The Trumpet-Major|Thomas Hardy
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

On his side there is no backwardness now; on hers no coyness, no mock modesty.
The Death Shot|Mayne Reid

British Dictionary definitions for coyness

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 coyness

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.

coy