coy

[ koi ]

/ kɔɪ /

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.

Words nearby coy

coxsackie encephalitis, coxsackie virus, coxsackievirus, coxswain, coxwell chair, coy, coy., coydog, coyote, coyote state, coyotillo

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.

OTHER WORDS FROM coy

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

British Dictionary definitions for coys

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

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