Categories: GeneralSynonyms

COY: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for COY?

PDF Version

Need another word that means the same as “coy”? Find 8 synonyms and 30 related words for “coy” in this overview.

Table Of Contents:

Coy as an Adjective
Definitions of "Coy" as an adjective
Synonyms of "Coy" as an adjective (8 Words)
Usage Examples of "Coy" as an adjective
Associations of "Coy" (30 Words)

The synonyms of “Coy” are: demure, overmodest, arch, simpering, coquettish, flirtatious, kittenish, skittish

Coy as an Adjective

Definitions of "Coy" as an adjective

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “coy” as an adjective can have the following definitions:

Modestly or warily rejecting approaches or overtures.
Affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way.
Showing marked and often playful or irritating evasiveness or reluctance to make a definite or committing statement.
Making a pretence of shyness or modesty that is intended to be alluring (typically used of a woman.
Reluctant to give details about something regarded as sensitive.

Synonyms of "Coy" as an adjective (8 Words)

arch	Characteristic of those who treat others with condescension.
coquettish	Like a coquette. A coquettish* grin.*
demure	Affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way. A demure* young lady.*
flirtatious	Behaving in such a way as to suggest a playful sexual attraction to someone. She was beautiful and very flirtatious.
kittenish	Playful like a lively kitten. Her voice had that kittenish* quality.*
overmodest	Affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way.
simpering	Affectedly coy or ingratiating. She is clearly not a simpering* female who can be pushed around.*
skittish	Unpredictably excitable (especially of horses. My skittish* and immature mother.*

Usage Examples of "Coy" as an adjective

He is coy about his age.
A politician coy about his intentions.
She treated him to a coy smile of invitation.
Like a wild young colt, very inquisitive but very coy and not to be easily cajoled.

Associations of "Coy" (30 Words)

bashful	Disposed to avoid notice blate is a Scottish term for bashful. They considered themselves a tough outfit and weren t bashful* about letting anybody know it.*
cagey	Characterized by great caution and wariness. A cagey* lawyer.*
demure	Reserved, modest, and shy (typically used of a woman. A demure* young lady.*
diffident	Lacking self-confidence. Stood in the doorway diffident* and abashed.*
eschew	Deliberately avoid using; abstain from. He appealed to the crowd to eschew* violence.*
fainthearted	Lacking conviction or boldness or courage.
inarticulate	Without or deprived of the use of speech or words. Mention of her mother filled her with inarticulate* irritation.*
introversion	An introverted disposition; concern with one’s own thoughts and feelings. We expected our sample to show elevated neuroticism and introversion.
introvert	(psychology) a person who tends to shrink from social contacts and to become preoccupied with their own thoughts. He introverted his feelings.
introverted	Given to examining own sensory and perceptual experiences.
limelight	A lamp consisting of a flame directed at a cylinder of lime with a lens to concentrate the light; formerly used for stage lighting. He enjoyed being in the limelight.
passive	A passive form of a verb. The ball was thrown is an abbreviated passive.
passivity	Acceptance of what happens, without active response or resistance. Nickel increases the overall passivity* of the iron.*
prissy	Exaggeratedly proper. A middle class family with two prissy* children.*
prudery	Excessive or affected modesty.
prudish	Exaggeratedly proper. The prudish* moral climate of the late 19th century.*
quiet	Become quiet or quieter. Molly spoke with quiet* confidence.*
reserved	Marked by self-restraint and reticence. He is a reserved* almost taciturn man.*
restrained	Kept under control. Restrained in his response.
reticent	Not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily. She was extremely reticent* about her personal affairs.*
retiring	Reluctant to draw attention to yourself. A gentle retiring* person who avoided conflict.*
shy	Throw quickly. Shy of strangers.
silent	Having a frequency below or above the range of human audibility. The silent* h at the beginning of honor.*
taciturn	(of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little. After such gatherings she would be taciturn* and morose.*
timid	People who are fearful and cautious. Problems that call for bold not timid* responses.*
timorous	Timid by nature or revealing timidity. A timorous* voice.*
unassertive	Inclined to timidity or lack of self-confidence. She was gentle and unassertive.
uncommunicative	Unwilling to talk or impart information. He had always been quiet and uncommunicative* having few friends.*
unutterable	Defying expression or description. I felt an unutterable* fool.*
withdrawn	Withdrawn from society seeking solitude. When her husband died she became very withdrawn.