Coy Meaning
/kɔɪ/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjBashful, shy, retiring.
adjQuiet, reserved, modest.
Sentence Examples
He's coy about his income.
She is coy with everyone.
Come on, don't act so coy, I know you're into it.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
She gave a ____ smile and refused to reveal her secret plan.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He's ____ about his income.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English coy, from Old French coi, earlier quei (“quiet, still”), from Latin qu(i)ētus (“resting, at rest”). Doublet of quit, quiet, quite, and quietus.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The ill-bred miss, the bird-brained Jill, / May simper and be coy at will; / A lady, sir, as you will find, / Keeps counsel, or she speaks her mind, / Means what she says and scorns to fence / And palter with feigned innocence."
— 1981, A. D. Hope, “His Coy Mistress to Mr. Marvell”, in A Book of Answers:
"Enforced hate, / Instead of love's coy touch, shall rudely tear thee."
— 1594, William Shakespeare, Lucrece (First Quarto), London: […] Richard Field, for Iohn Harrison, […], →OCLC:
"Come sit thee down upon this flowery bed, / While I thy amiable cheeks do coy."
— c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “A Midsommer Nights Dreame”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]:
"For now there are ſprung up a wiſer generation in this kind, who have the Art to coy the fonder ſort into their nets"
— 1635, Edward Rainbowe, Labour Forbidden, and Commanded. A Sermon Preached at S^(t.) Pauls^([sic]) Church, September 28. 1634., London: Nicholas Vavasour, page 29:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
She gave a ____ smile and refused to reveal her secret plan.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He's ____ about his income.