Coy
adjective
If a person is being coy, they are pretending to be shy or modest to seem attractive or to hide the truth.
She gave me a coy smile.
adjective
When you are unwilling to give details about something, you are being coy.
The team's manager was coy about his plans for the game.
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Used to describe a tactic in negotiations where someone pretends to be uncertain to gain advantage.
He's just playing coy in this deal.
Often appears as...
- play coy
- act coy
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
If a person is being coy, they are pretending to be shy or modest to seem attractive or to hide the truth.
She gave me a coy smile.
adjective
When you are unwilling to give details about something, you are being coy.
The team's manager was coy about his plans for the game.
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Used to describe a tactic in negotiations where someone pretends to be uncertain to gain advantage.
He's just playing coy in this deal.
Often appears as...
- play coy
- act coy
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/2Flirtatious Context
The word 'coy' often suggests a playful form of flirtation, not serious shyness.
Her coy glances were part of her flirtatious behavior.
Pro Tip 2/2False Modesty
'Coy' can imply someone is pretending to be modest for attention or to seem appealing.
He responded to the praise with a coy denial, enjoying the spotlight.
Pro Tip 1/2Flirtatious Context
The word 'coy' often suggests a playful form of flirtation, not serious shyness.
Her coy glances were part of her flirtatious behavior.
Pro Tip 2/2False Modesty
'Coy' can imply someone is pretending to be modest for attention or to seem appealing.
He responded to the praise with a coy denial, enjoying the spotlight.
Pro Tip 1/2Flirtatious Context
The word 'coy' often suggests a playful form of flirtation, not serious shyness.
Her coy glances were part of her flirtatious behavior.
Pro Tip 2/2False Modesty
'Coy' can imply someone is pretending to be modest for attention or to seem appealing.
He responded to the praise with a coy denial, enjoying the spotlight.
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Video examples
Reel Talk Ep. 1: Opening...
mean nobody seems to keep up that positive attitude better than you and anytime you didn't catch any fish in this episode but you always kind of like that little coy smile on your face makes you think that you're about to catch one you know one thing I do know is as hot as it gets at times and I admit at times I do get discouraged and that's what's
Video examples
What’s the point(e) of...
Like an actor delivering their lines, ballerinas can execute their movements to convey a wide range of emotion. Aurora can be elegant and restrained, throwing her arms in independence from her suitors. Or she can be coy and flirtatious, descending from en pointe with grace and knowing confidence.
Video examples
Why should you read...
and from Dante to Dublin slang. As suggested by the title, some of these allusions revolve around Homer's "Odyssey." Each chapter is named after a character or episode from the "Odyssey," but the literary references are often coy, debatable, sarcastic, or disguised.
Video examples
How to Discover Your...
women were really coy about their age. “Oh, a lady never tells her age.” My mom never subscribed to that. She was always proud of her age. As a matter of fact, she believes you may not tell your age, but your hands and your neck will.
Video examples
Marlene Zuk: What we...
of what males and females are like. So that males are always supposed to be dominant and aggressive, and females are passive and coy. But that's just not the case. So for example, take katydids,
Video examples
Adorable Lion Moments PIPE...
daughters now she's a grandmother and the coy Tagore pride has a third generation it's one of NAB O's daughters who was given birth to these young cubs these little guys are the grandchildren
Video examples
Full-Body Tattoo Taboo?...
master known by the artist name hoary coy hoary cow uses a time-honored design that allows wearers to keep their ink hidden under their clothes these suits of tattoo are left bare in
Video examples
Full Body Tattoo Taboo?...
master known by the artist name hoary coy hoary cow uses a time-honored design that allows wearers to keep their ink hidden under their clothes these suits of tattoo are left bare in
Video examples
The Weird World of...
both you and the female are promiscuous each of you mates with several other octopods from this part of the sea all the time so what's with all this coyness
Video examples
Mating habits of the...
shouting big red gets her way and manages to avoid a mating altogether once she's decided she's ready she won't be so coy
Video examples
Reel Talk Ep. 1: Opening...
mean nobody seems to keep up that positive attitude better than you and anytime you didn't catch any fish in this episode but you always kind of like that little coy smile on your face makes you think that you're about to catch one you know one thing I do know is as hot as it gets at times and I admit at times I do get discouraged and that's what's
Video examples
What’s the point(e) of...
Like an actor delivering their lines, ballerinas can execute their movements to convey a wide range of emotion. Aurora can be elegant and restrained, throwing her arms in independence from her suitors. Or she can be coy and flirtatious, descending from en pointe with grace and knowing confidence.
Video examples
Why should you read...
and from Dante to Dublin slang. As suggested by the title, some of these allusions revolve around Homer's "Odyssey." Each chapter is named after a character or episode from the "Odyssey," but the literary references are often coy, debatable, sarcastic, or disguised.
Video examples
How to Discover Your...
women were really coy about their age. “Oh, a lady never tells her age.” My mom never subscribed to that. She was always proud of her age. As a matter of fact, she believes you may not tell your age, but your hands and your neck will.
Video examples
Marlene Zuk: What we...
of what males and females are like. So that males are always supposed to be dominant and aggressive, and females are passive and coy. But that's just not the case. So for example, take katydids,
Video examples
Adorable Lion Moments PIPE...
daughters now she's a grandmother and the coy Tagore pride has a third generation it's one of NAB O's daughters who was given birth to these young cubs these little guys are the grandchildren
Video examples
Full-Body Tattoo Taboo?...
master known by the artist name hoary coy hoary cow uses a time-honored design that allows wearers to keep their ink hidden under their clothes these suits of tattoo are left bare in
Video examples
Full Body Tattoo Taboo?...
master known by the artist name hoary coy hoary cow uses a time-honored design that allows wearers to keep their ink hidden under their clothes these suits of tattoo are left bare in
Video examples
The Weird World of...
both you and the female are promiscuous each of you mates with several other octopods from this part of the sea all the time so what's with all this coyness
Video examples
Mating habits of the...
shouting big red gets her way and manages to avoid a mating altogether once she's decided she's ready she won't be so coy
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Hilary Duff
American Actress
Girls bat their eyelashes and act like they don't know anything in front of guys they like, or give a little bit of eye contact, but not too much, or a bit of touching. Or being coy. Sure, I do a bit of that.
Quote examples
Mario Cuomo
American Politician
There is no basis to say I'm being coy about running for president. If I chose to explore the presidency, I wouldn't do it in a backward way. I'll say, 'I'm exploring the presidency.
Quote examples
Jim Walton
American Businessman
I'm not trying to be coy here; we're just not prepared to give a lot of detail about our thinking, but we will be making some announcements in the coming months.
Quote examples
Diablo Cody
American Writer
I have never been an ambitious person, and my participation in this industry is a fluke, but only male writers can afford to be coy and self-deprecating.
Quote examples
Joseph Brodsky
American Poet
My poems getting published in Russia doesn't make me feel in any fashion, to tell you the truth. I'm not trying to be coy, but it doesn't tickle my ego.
Quote examples
Dimple Kapadia
Indian Actress
I think all my life's story is condensed in my face. It is neither innocent nor coy. It speaks volumes.
Quote examples
J. J. Abrams
American Director
I'm not trying to be coy or manipulative or Machiavellian, I want to spark people's imaginations.
Quote examples
Andrew Marvell
English Writer
Had we but world enough, and time, this coyness, lady, were no crime.
Quote examples
Yuzvendra Chahal
I'm like a coy and go into my shell when I face girls.
Quote examples
Danielle Colby
American Celebrity
There's nothing coy or frilly about me.
Quote examples
Hilary Duff
American Actress
Girls bat their eyelashes and act like they don't know anything in front of guys they like, or give a little bit of eye contact, but not too much, or a bit of touching. Or being coy. Sure, I do a bit of that.
Quote examples
Mario Cuomo
American Politician
There is no basis to say I'm being coy about running for president. If I chose to explore the presidency, I wouldn't do it in a backward way. I'll say, 'I'm exploring the presidency.
Quote examples
Jim Walton
American Businessman
I'm not trying to be coy here; we're just not prepared to give a lot of detail about our thinking, but we will be making some announcements in the coming months.
Quote examples
Diablo Cody
American Writer
I have never been an ambitious person, and my participation in this industry is a fluke, but only male writers can afford to be coy and self-deprecating.
Quote examples
Joseph Brodsky
American Poet
My poems getting published in Russia doesn't make me feel in any fashion, to tell you the truth. I'm not trying to be coy, but it doesn't tickle my ego.
Quote examples
Dimple Kapadia
Indian Actress
I think all my life's story is condensed in my face. It is neither innocent nor coy. It speaks volumes.
Quote examples
J. J. Abrams
American Director
I'm not trying to be coy or manipulative or Machiavellian, I want to spark people's imaginations.
Quote examples
Andrew Marvell
English Writer
Had we but world enough, and time, this coyness, lady, were no crime.
Quote examples
Yuzvendra Chahal
I'm like a coy and go into my shell when I face girls.
Quote examples
Danielle Colby
American Celebrity
There's nothing coy or frilly about me.
Example 1 of 10
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