coy (kɔɪ
)
Definitions
adjective
- (usually of a woman) affectedly demure, esp in a playful or provocative manner
- shy; modest
- evasive, esp in an annoying way
Alternative Forms
ˈcoyish adjective ˈcoyly adverb ˈcoyness nounWord Origin
C14: from Old French coi reserved, from Latin quiētusquietSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
modest,
retiring,
shy,
shrinking,
arch,
timid,
self-effacing,
demure,
flirtatious,
bashful,
prudish,
aw-shucks,
skittish,
coquettish,
kittenish,
overmodest
Usage examples
Bauman -- new-issue denims smeared with grease, supposed he knew what the old man meant, and saw no reason to be coy.
, Stone City (1990)There is good reason why environmentalists are coy about attacking growth directly.
Spiked (2004)Alberta Premier Ralph Klein says he is not interested either, while New Brunswick Premier Bernard Lord is playing coy.
Globe and Mail (2003)But an unusually coy Christina kept her left hand - and her tummy - covered throughout the evening.
Sun, News of the World (2005)There's little that's coy or even human about most of the marrieds.
, Bloody Valentine, A Killing in Cardiff (1994)