McCoy

American  

[muh-koi] / məˈkɔɪ /

noun

1. Usually the McCoy or the real McCoy the genuine thing or person as promised, stated, or implied.

   Those other paintings are copies, but this one is the McCoy.

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McCoy ¹ British  

/ məˈkɔɪ /

noun

1. slang the genuine person or thing (esp in the phrase the real McCoy )

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McCoy ² British  

/ məˈkɔɪ /

noun

1. Tony, full name Anthony Peter McCoy. born 1974, Northern Irish national hunt jockey: champion jockey every season since 1995/96

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Etymology

Origin of McCoy

First recorded in 1880–85; also Mackay, McKie, the clear McCoy (of liquor); of uncertain origin; hypothesized identifications with Mackay, a Scottish clan, and Kid McCoy, nickname of U.S. boxer Norman Selby (1873–1940), are unsubstantiated

Compare meaning

How does mccoy compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Hatfield vs. McCoy

Example Sentences

“Children need to feel good about their environment, because that’s all part of their mental health,” McCoy said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

On Thursday, I visited Tana McCoy, a Compton High grad and retired city employee who is running for Compton Unified school board.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

Most notable was Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, who is a super talent but slipped down to the fourth round, pick 101, after missing all of last season with a torn ACL.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

McCoy, for his part, is like millions of Americans: He routinely allows apps to record his location.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

The man had character and spunk and Bloom had considered him an attractive original, had always known he was the real McCoy.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols