coy

adjective

modestly or warily rejecting approaches or overtures

showing marked and often playful or irritating evasiveness or reluctance to make a definite or committing statement

affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way

Roots

quietuscoy- · Latin · quiet, at rest

Synonyms for coy

demureadj bashfuladj shyadj diffidentadj timidadj skittishadj unassertiveadj shamefacedadj shamefast timorousadj

Synonyms & related words for coy

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of coy — including demure, bashful, shy, diffident, timid, skittish. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to coy

Explore words related to coy — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include coyish, overmodest, coyly, coyness, unbashful, pudibund, cagey, reticent. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for coy

Common synonyms for coy include demure, bashful, shy, diffident, timid, skittish, unassertive, shamefaced — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does coy come from?

The word coy breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root coy-, from Latin quietus (“quiet, at rest”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.