coy

UK: /ˈkɔɪ/ US: /kɔɪ/ ,(koi)

Inflections of 'coy' (adj):

coyer

adj comparative

coyest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

coy /kɔɪ/   adj. 

1. shy or reserved;
   coquettish:
   She gave the prince a coy little smile.
2. shy;
   modest.
3. reluctant to reveal one's plans:
   We won't be coy; you're the one we want to hire.

coy•ish•ness, n. [uncountable]
coy•ly, adv. 
coy•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

coy  (koi), adj., -er, -est, v. 
adj. 

1. artfully or affectedly shy or reserved;
   slyly hesitant;
   coquettish.
2. shy;
   modest.
3. showing reluctance, esp. when insincere or affected, to reveal one's plans or opinions, make a commitment, or take a stand:
   The mayor was coy about his future political aspirations.
4. [Archaic.] disdainful;
   aloof.
5. [Obs.] quiet;
   reserved.

v.i. 

6. [Archaic.] to act in a coy manner.

v.t. Obs. 

7. to quiet;
   soothe.
8. to pat;
   caress.

• Vulgar Latin *quētus, for Latin quiētus quiet
• Anglo-French coi, quoy calm, Old French quei
• Middle English 1300–50

coy′ish, adj. 
coy′ish•ness, n. 
coy′ly, adv. 
coy′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. retiring, diffident, bashful, demure.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

coy / kɔɪ/ adjective

1. (usually of a woman) affectedly demure, esp in a playful or provocative manner
2. shy; modest
3. evasive, esp in an annoying way

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French coi reserved, from Latin quiētus quiet

ˈcoyish adjective

ˈcoyishly adverb

ˈcoyishness noun

ˈcoyly adverb

ˈcoyness noun

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

qui•et¹ /ˈkwaɪɪt/   adj., -er, -est, n., v. 
adj. 

1. making little or no noise or sound:
   quiet neighbors.
2. having little or no noise:
   a quiet street.
3. silent:
   [be + ~] Be quiet!
4. reserved in speech or manner:
   a quiet, private sort of person.
5. free from disturbance or excitement:
   a quiet life in the country.
6. free from activity:
   a quiet Sunday afternoon.
7. still or barely moving:
   quiet waters.
8. not readily noticed by others:
   raised an eyebrow in quiet reproach.
9. not active:
   The stock market was quiet last week.

n. [uncountable]

the quality or state of being quiet;
peacefulness.

v. 

11. to (cause to) become quiet: [~ + object]
    He tried to quiet the howling dogs.
    [no object* (~ + down)]
    The dogs quieted (down).
12. to make tranquil or peaceful:
    [~ + object] She tried to quiet the jittery children.
13. to put to rest:
    [~ + object] Her father quieted her fears.

qui•et•ly, adv. 
qui•et•ness, n. [uncountable] See -quie-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

qui•et¹  (kwī′it), adj., -er, -est, v. 
adj. 

1. making no noise or sound, esp. no disturbing sound:
   quiet neighbors.
2. free, or comparatively free, from noise:
   a quiet street.
3. silent:
   Be quiet!
4. restrained in speech, manner, etc.;
   saying little:
   a quiet person.
5. free from disturbance or tumult;
   tranquil;
   peaceful:
   a quiet life.
6. being at rest.
7. refraining or free from activity, esp. busy or vigorous activity:
   a quiet Sunday afternoon.
8. making no disturbance or trouble;
   not turbulent;
   peaceable:
   The factions remained quiet for twenty years.
9. motionless or moving very gently:
   quiet waters.
10. free from disturbing thoughts, emotions, etc.;
    mentally peaceful:
    a quiet conscience.
11. said, expressed, done, etc., in a restrained or unobtrusive way:
    a quiet reproach; a quiet admonition.
12. not showy or obtrusive;
    subdued:
    quiet colors.
13. not busy or active:
    The stock market was quiet last week.

v.t. 

14. to make quiet.
15. to make tranquil or peaceful;
    pacify:
    to quiet a crying baby.
16. to calm mentally, as a person.
17. to allay (tumult, doubt, fear, etc.).
18. to silence.

v.i. 

19. to become quiet (often fol. by down).

• Late Latin quiētāre, derivative of quiētus. Compare coy 
• Latin quiētus, past participle of quiēscere (see quiescent); (verb, verbal) Middle English quieten, partly derivative of the adjective, adjectival, partly
• Middle French)
• (adjective, adjectival) Middle English (1350–1400

qui′et•er, n. 
qui′et•ly, adv. 
qui′et•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. See still ¹.
• 5. calm, serene.
• 9. unmoving.
• 14. still, hush, silence.
• 15, 17. lull, soothe.

Antonyms

• 2. noisy.
• 5. perturbed.
• 9. active.

qui•et²  (kwī′it), n. 

1. freedom from noise, unwanted sound, etc.:
   At least there's quiet here.
2. freedom from disturbance or tumult;
   tranquillity;
   rest;
   repose:
   to live in quiet.
3. peace;
   peaceful condition of affairs.

• Latin quiēt- (stem of quiēs) rest, peace; akin to quiēscere (see quiescent)
• Middle French quiete)
• Middle English quiet(e) (1300–50

Synonyms

• 1. silence.
• 2. calm, stillness.

Antonyms

• 1. noise.
• 2. disturbance.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Coy. abbreviation

1. company