coy
What does "coy" mean?
Coy describes someone who is pretending to be shy, modest, or reserved, often in a playful or flirtatious way. It carries the mental image of someone looking down through their eyelashes or withholding information with a knowing, half-hidden smile to create a sense of mystery or allure. The term is most commonly used in romantic or social contexts. While it can imply genuine modesty, it often suggests a deliberate performance meant to tease or draw others in. You might also use it to describe someone who is being evasive or playing "hard to get" when asked about their feelings or plans.
"coy" in conversation
Discussing a crush
Are you going to ask him out or what?
Are you going to ask him out or what?
Maybe I will, maybe I won't.
Maybe I will, maybe I won't.
Stop being so coy and just tell me!
Stop being so coy and just tell me!
Used here to describe someone withholding information to be playful.
At a party
She kept giving me these coy glances from across the room.
She kept giving me these coy glances from across the room.
So did you go talk to her?
So did you go talk to her?
I was too intimidated!
I was too intimidated!
Describes a flirtatious, shy-looking behavior.
"coy" in a sentence
She gave a coy smile and turned away.
She gave a coy smile and turned away.
Don't be coy with me; tell me exactly what happened at the meeting.
Don't be coy with me; tell me exactly what happened at the meeting.
His coy refusal to discuss his future plans only fueled the rumors circulating in the press.
His coy refusal to discuss his future plans only fueled the rumors circulating in the press.
