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. 2022

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