cozy

Rarely co·zie,
Or co·sy

[koh-zee]

adjective

cozier, coziest 

1. comfortable and snug.

   We live in a cozy little house with a small garden in the back.

   Synonyms: sheltered, homey, comfy, snug

2. convenient or beneficial, usually as a result of dishonesty or connivance.

   A very cozy agreement between competing firms had kept the industry profitable for years.

3. suggesting opportunistic or conspiratorial intimacy.

   The exposé revealed a cozy relationship between lobbyists and some politicians.

4. discreetly reticent or noncommittal.

   The administrators are remaining cozy about which policy they plan to adopt.

5. relating to a genre of mystery stories with little suspense, explicit violence, or sexual content, often also having amateur sleuths and idyllic, intimate settings.

   I read lots of different books, but I like cozy mysteries best.

   Charming characters and just the right amount of danger make this cozy series a delight to read.

noun

plural

cozies 

1. a padded covering for a teapot or coffeepot to retain the heat of the contents.

2. a mystery story with little suspense, explicit violence, or sexual content, often also having amateur sleuths and idyllic, intimate settings.

   I started out reading cozies and moved on to the hard-boiled detective novels.

verb (used with object)

cozied, cozying 

1. to make more warm or comfortable (often followed byup ).

   New curtains would cozy the room up a bit.

verb phrase

1. cozy up (to)

   1. to move closer for comfort or affection.

      Come over to the fire and cozy up a bit.

   2. to try to become friendly or intimate in order to further one's own ends; attempt to ingratiate oneself.

      He's always cozying up to the boss.

cozy

/ ˈkəʊzɪ /

adjective

1. the usual US spelling of cosy

Other Word Forms

• cozily adverb
• coziness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cozy¹

First recorded in 1700–10; from Scots colsie, perhaps from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian koselig “cozy,” kose seg “to enjoy oneself”

Example Sentences

Warm, cozy spices take center stage: brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, a little orange zest.

From Salon

He gave me a cozy neoprene hat to wear over my cap and goggles to keep my head warm.

From Los Angeles Times

Every Earth X extra is white — the folks on the street, the diners in a cozy family restaurant, the employees at A.R.G.U.S., the government agency Peacemaker works with.

From Salon

A quintessential fall treat, TJ’s Apple Cider Donuts are soft, moist, cozy and slightly spicy.

From Salon

The casserole stays cozy, but the meal as a whole feels lifted, complete.

From Salon

Related Words

• comfortable 
• comfy 
• cushy 
• intimate 
• snug