adjective
Uncommon
coy
koy
Coy (adjective) means Shy or modest, especially in a deliberately playful or teasing way. Example: “She gave a coy smile but wouldn't answer the question.”
adjective
1
Shy or modest, especially in a deliberately playful or teasing way.
"She gave a coy smile but wouldn't answer the question."
"He was coy about the details of his new job."
2
Reluctant to give a direct answer, especially about something sensitive.
"The company remained coy about its future plans."
How to use coy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShy or evasive, often flirtatiously or deliberately so.
Common mistake
Often implies a bit of pretense — someone being coy is playing at shyness rather than genuinely being shy.
Common pairings
coy smile
be coy about
coy response
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Word forms
- Plural
- coys
- Third person singular
- coys
- Past tense
- coyed
- Comparative
- coyer
- Superlative
- coyest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She gave a _____ smile but wouldn't answer the question.
Etymology
From Old French coi, meaning "quiet" or "still," from Latin quietus — making "coy" a distant relative of "quiet" and "quit."
Synonyms
View more →
demure
overmodest
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for coy
See all rhymes for coy →Frequently asked questions
What does “coy” mean?
The word “coy” means shy or modest, especially in a deliberately playful or teasing way. In plain terms, shy or evasive, often flirtatiously or deliberately so.
How do you pronounce “coy”?
“Coy” is pronounced koy (/kɔɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “coy” in a sentence?
Here is “coy” used in a sentence: “She gave a coy smile but wouldn't answer the question.”
What part of speech is “coy”?
“Coy” is an adjective.
Where does the word “coy” come from?
The word “coy” comes from Latin. From Old French coi, meaning "quiet" or "still," from Latin quietus — making "coy" a distant relative of "quiet" and "quit.".
Is “coy” a common word?
“Coy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “coy” have?
“Coy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: shy or modest, especially in a deliberately playful or teasing way.
