coy Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way
    overmodest; demure.
  2. adjective satellite showing marked and often playful or irritating evasiveness or reluctance to make a definite or committing statement
    • a politician coy about his intentions
  3. adjective satellite modestly or warily rejecting approaches or overtures
    • like a wild young colt, very inquisitive but very coy and not to be easily cajoled

WordNet

Coy adjective
Etymology
OE. coi quiet, still, OF. coi, coit, fr.L. quietus quiet, p. p. of quiescere to rest, quie rest; prob. akin to E. while. See While, and cf. Quiet, Quit, Quite.
Definitions
  1. Quiet; still. Obs. Chaucer.
  2. Shrinking from approach or familiarity; reserved; bashful; shy; modest; -- usually applied to women, sometimes with an implication of coquetry.
    Coy, and difficult to win. Cowper.
    Coy and furtive graces. W. Irving.
    Nor the coy maid, half willings to be pressed, Shall kiss the cup, to pass it to the rest. Goldsmith.
  3. Soft; gentle; hesitating.
    Enforced hate, Instead of love's coy touch, shall rudely tear thee. Shak.
    Syn. -- Shy; shriking; reserved; modest; bashful; backward; distant.
Coy transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Coyed present participle & verbal noun Coying
Definitions
  1. To allure; to entice; to decoy. Obs.
    A wiser generation, who have the art to coy the fonder sort into their nets. Bp. Rainbow.
  2. To caress with the hand; to stroke.
    Come sit thee down upon this flowery bed, While I thy amiable cheeks do coy. Shak.
Coy intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To behave with reserve or coyness; to shrink from approach or familiarity. Obs.
    Thus to coy it, With one who knows you too! Rowe.
  2. To make difficulty; to be unwilling. Obs.
    If he coyed To hear Cominius speak, I 'll keep at home. Shak.

Webster 1913