Coy – definition
(especially with reference to a woman) making a pretence of shyness or modesty which is intended to be alluring.
Usage examples:
She treated him to a coy smile of invitation
Reluctant to give details about something regarded as sensitive.
Usage examples:
He is coy about his age
Making a pretence of shyness or modesty that is intended to be alluring (typically used of a woman)
Usage examples:
She treated him to a coy smile of invitation
Acting shy, uncertain, or unwilling to say much, often in order to increase interest in something by keeping back information about it
Usage examples:
Mcintyre is coy about his future in football., she smiled coyly.
Intentionally keeping something secret
Usage examples:
She's very coy about her age.
(especially of women) being or pretending to be shy, or like a child
Usage examples:
She gave me a coy look from under her schoolgirl's fringe.
Coy translation into English
Coy: translate from English into Chinese
Coy: translate from English into Dutch
Terughoudend, Zedig, Schuchter, Bedeesd
Coy: translate from English into French
Coy: translate from English into German
Schüchtern, Verschämt, Schamhaft
Coy: translate from English into Hindi
विनीत, संकोची, लजीला, कम बोलने वाला
Coy: translate from English into Italian
Timido, Schivo, Riservato, Modesto
Coy: translate from English into Korean
Coy: translate from English into Russian
Застенчивый, Скромный, Рота, Уединенный, Кокетливо умалчивающий
Coy: translate from English into Spanish
Word origin
Middle English: from Old French coi, quei, from Latin quietus (see quiet). The original sense was ‘quiet, still’ (especially in behaviour), later ‘modestly retiring’, and hence (of a woman) ‘
Coy synonims
A curved symmetrical structure spanning an opening and typically supporting the weight of a bridge, roof, or wall above it.
Usage examples:
The result brings to mind support structures for vaulted arches (for instance gaudi's sagrada famil…
Have the curved shape of an arch.
Usage examples:
A beautiful bridge that arched over a canal
Deliberately or affectedly playful and teasing.
Usage examples:
A somewhat arch tone of voice
Directed behind or to the rear.
Usage examples:
She left the room without a backward glance
Another word for backwards.
(of a movement) in the direction of one's back.
Usage examples:
Penny glanced backwards
Reluctant to draw attention to oneself; shy.
Usage examples:
Everything you need to know but have been too bashful to ask
Easily embarrassed and uncomfortable; shy
Usage examples:
She gave a bashful smile when she was introduced.
Behaving in such a way as to suggest a playful sexual attraction; flirtatious.
Usage examples:
A coquettish grin
Trying to attract attention by pretending to be sexually interested in someone, in a pleasant but not serious way
Usage examples:
She greeted him with a coquettish smile., she is a fresh-faced, coquettish, giggly girl.
Reserved, modest, and shy (typically used of a woman).
Usage examples:
A demure young lady
(esp. of women and girls) quiet and well behaved
Usage examples:
Two demure little girls sat near their mother.
Modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence.
Usage examples:
A diffident youth
Shy and not confident of your abilities
Usage examples:
A diffident manner, you shouldn't be so diffident about your achievements - you've done really well!
Behaving in such a way as to suggest a playful sexual attraction to someone.
Usage examples:
She was beautiful and very flirtatious
Behaving as if you are interested in someone, in a not serious way
Usage examples:
She had a lively, outgoing manner and was a bit flirtatious at times.
Playful, lively, or flirtatious.
Usage examples:
Her voice had that kittenish quality
Used to describe a woman who behaves in a humorous, silly way, especially as a way of attracting sexual attention
Unassuming in the estimation of one's abilities or achievements.
Usage examples:
He was a very modest man, refusing to take any credit for the enterprise
Not large in size or amount, or not great in value
Usage examples:
A modest increase in salary, a modest house, although an outstanding scientist, he’s a modest man.
Not large in size or amount, or not expensive
Usage examples:
Modest amount/budget/profit we have a fairly modest budget, considering our oil wealth., modest ris…
Not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily.
Usage examples:
She was extremely reticent about her personal affairs
Unwilling to speak about your thoughts or feelings
Usage examples:
At first she was reticent, but later she relaxed and was more forthcoming., due to his reticence, l…
Shy and fond of being on one's own.
Usage examples:
A gentle, retiring person who avoided conflict
Leave one's job and cease to work, typically on reaching the normal age for leaving service.
Usage examples:
He retired from the navy in 1986
Unwilling to be noticed or to be with other people
Usage examples:
He’s a shy, retiring sort of person.
Not making yourself noticeable, or not trying to get the attention of other people
Usage examples:
The captain was typically self-effacing when questioned about the team's successes, giving credit t…
Becoming smaller in size or amount.
Usage examples:
The shrinking market has provoked a massive price war
Become or make smaller in size or amount.
Usage examples:
The workforce shrank to a thousand
Usage examples:
The shrinking workforce would have to support a growing number of retired people., rapidly/steadily…
Nervous or timid in the company of other people.
Usage examples:
I was pretty shy at school
(especially of a horse) start suddenly aside in fright at an object, noise, or movement.
Usage examples:
Their horses shied at the unfamiliar sight
A sudden startled movement, especially of a frightened horse.
Affectedly coy or ingratiating.
Usage examples:
She is clearly not a simpering female who can be pushed around
Smile in an affectedly coy or ingratiating manner.
Usage examples:
She simpered, looking pleased with herself
Present participle of
simper
Usage examples:
She gave her teacher a simpering smile.
(of an animal, especially a horse) nervous or excitable; easily scared.
Usage examples:
A skittish chestnut mare
(of people and animals) nervous and easily frightened
Usage examples:
The kitten was really skittish.
Showing a lack of courage or confidence; easily frightened.
Usage examples:
I was too timid to ask for what i wanted
Past participle of withdraw.
Remove or take away (something) from a particular place or position.
Usage examples:
Ruth withdrew her hand from his
(of a person) preferring to be alone and taking little interest in other people
Usage examples:
During the winter, she became depressed and withdrawn.
