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Definition of coyness

coyness

/ˈkɔɪ.nəs/
coy · ness
Adverb:coyly
•
Adjective:coy
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coyness Lexical Profile

coyness Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The quality or state of acting shy, modest, or reserved in an alluring, playful, or flirtatious manner.

Example

"In Andrew Marvell's famous seventeenth-century poem, the speaker urges his beloved to abandon her coyness and embrace the fleeting present."

2

A deliberate reluctance to give a direct answer, make a firm commitment, or reveal sensitive details.

Example

"The candidate's coyness about her plans for tax reform frustrated the journalists at the press conference."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

cox
coy
coyly
coyness
coyote
cozily
coziness

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English from the adjective 'coy' and the native suffix '-ness'. 'Coy' was borrowed from Old French 'coi' (meaning 'quiet' or 'still'), which evolved from Vulgar Latin '*quetus' and Classical Latin 'quietus' (meaning 'at rest' or 'calm').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Coyness. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/coyness
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