The meaning of COY is marked by cute, coquettish, or artful playfulness. How to use coy in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Coy.
COY definition: 1. intentionally keeping something secret: 2. (especially of women) being or pretending to be shy…. Learn more.
COY definition: artfully or affectedly shy or reserved; slyly hesitant; coquettish. See examples of coy used in a sentence.
If someone is being coy, they are unwilling to talk about something that they feel guilty or embarrassed about. The hotel are understandably coy about the incident.
There are 16 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word coy, eight of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
coy, adj. & adv. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English Dictionary
coy (third-person singular simple present coys, present participle coying, simple past and past participle coyed) (transitive, obsolete) To caress, pet; to coax, entice.
showing reluctance, esp. when insincere or affected, to reveal one's plans or opinions, make a commitment, or take a stand: The mayor was coy about his future political aspirations.
To be coy; behave with coyness or bashfulness; shrink from familiarity: with an indefinite it. To make difficulty; be slow or reluctant. Quiet; still. Manifesting modesty; shrinking from familiarity; bashful; shy; retiring. Disposed to repel advances; disdainful. Synonyms Shrinking, distant, bashful, backward, diffident, demure.
Take the adjective coy for a person who pretends to be shy but really isn't, or someone who could give a definite answer but won't. Coy behavior can be playful or just plain annoying.