Categories: GeneralSynonyms

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

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

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)

archCharacteristic of those who treat others with condescension.
coquettishLike a coquette.
A coquettish grin.
demureAffectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way.
A demure young lady.
flirtatiousBehaving in such a way as to suggest a playful sexual attraction to someone.
She was beautiful and very flirtatious.
kittenishPlayful like a lively kitten.
Her voice had that kittenish quality.
overmodestAffectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way.
simperingAffectedly coy or ingratiating.
She is clearly not a simpering female who can be pushed around.
skittishUnpredictably 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)

bashfulDisposed 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.
cageyCharacterized by great caution and wariness.
A cagey lawyer.
demureReserved, modest, and shy (typically used of a woman.
A demure young lady.
diffidentLacking self-confidence.
Stood in the doorway diffident and abashed.
eschewDeliberately avoid using; abstain from.
He appealed to the crowd to eschew violence.
faintheartedLacking conviction or boldness or courage.
inarticulateWithout or deprived of the use of speech or words.
Mention of her mother filled her with inarticulate irritation.
introversionAn 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.
introvertedGiven to examining own sensory and perceptual experiences.
limelightA 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.
passiveA passive form of a verb.
The ball was thrown is an abbreviated passive.
passivityAcceptance of what happens, without active response or resistance.
Nickel increases the overall passivity of the iron.
prissyExaggeratedly proper.
A middle class family with two prissy children.
pruderyExcessive or affected modesty.
prudishExaggeratedly proper.
The prudish moral climate of the late 19th century.
quietBecome quiet or quieter.
Molly spoke with quiet confidence.
reservedMarked by self-restraint and reticence.
He is a reserved almost taciturn man.
restrainedKept under control.
Restrained in his response.
reticentNot revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily.
She was extremely reticent about her personal affairs.
retiringReluctant to draw attention to yourself.
A gentle retiring person who avoided conflict.
shyThrow quickly.
Shy of strangers.
silentHaving 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.
timidPeople who are fearful and cautious.
Problems that call for bold not timid responses.
timorousTimid by nature or revealing timidity.
A timorous voice.
unassertiveInclined to timidity or lack of self-confidence.
She was gentle and unassertive.
uncommunicativeUnwilling to talk or impart information.
He had always been quiet and uncommunicative having few friends.
unutterableDefying expression or description.
I felt an unutterable fool.
withdrawnWithdrawn from society seeking solitude.
When her husband died she became very withdrawn.
Alexei

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