Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [koi]
- /kɔɪ/
- /kɔɪ/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [koi]
- /kɔɪ/
Definitions of coy word
- adjective coy evasive, esp in an annoying way 4
- adjective coy A coy person is shy, or pretends to be shy, about love and sex. 3
- adjective coy If someone is being coy, they are unwilling to talk about something that they feel guilty or embarrassed about. 3
- adjective coy (usually of a woman) affectedly demure, esp in a playful or provocative manner 3
- adjective coy quiet; silent 3
- adjective coy shrinking from contact or familiarity with others; bashful; shy 3
Information block about the term
Origin of coy
First appearance:
before 1300 One of the 15% oldest English words
1300-50; Middle English < Anglo-French coi, quoy calm, Old French quei < Vulgar Latin *quētus, for Latin quiētus quiet1
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Coy
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
coy popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 82% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
coy usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for coy
adj coy
- self-effacing — the act or fact of keeping oneself in the background, as in humility.
- timid — lacking in self-assurance, courage, or bravery; easily alarmed; timorous; shy.
- bashful — Someone who is bashful is shy and easily embarrassed.
- skittish — apt to start or shy: a skittish horse.
- backward — A backward movement or look is in the direction that your back is facing. Some people use backwards for this meaning.
Antonyms for coy
adj coy
- immodest — not modest in conduct, utterance, etc.; indecent; shameless.
- impudent — of, relating to, or characterized by impertinence or effrontery: The student was kept late for impudent behavior.
- aggressive — An aggressive person or animal has a quality of anger and determination that makes them ready to attack other people.
- forward — toward or at a place, point, or time in advance; onward; ahead: to move forward; from this day forward; to look forward.
adjective coy
- brazen — If you describe a person or their behaviour as brazen, you mean that they are very bold and do not care what other people think about them or their behaviour.
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