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- Dictionarycoyness/ˈkɔɪnɪs/
noun
- 1. the quality of feigning shyness or modesty in an attempt to seem alluring.
- 2. the quality of being reluctant to give details about something regarded as sensitive; reticence: "the company's coyness about their spring offering"
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COYNESS definition: 1. behaviour in which someone intentionally tries to keep something secret: 2. behaviour in which…. Learn more.
: showing reluctance to make a definite commitment. a coy response. coyly adverb. coyness noun. 2 of 2. verb. coyed; coying; coys. transitive verb. obsolete : caress. intransitive verb. archaic : to act coyly (see coy entry 1) Synonyms. Adjective. coquettish. demure. kittenish.
behavior in which someone intentionally tries to keep something secret: The unwritten rules of political conduct demand a certain coyness. He commented on their coyness about revealing the thinking behind those decisions. behavior in which someone is or pretends to be shy, or like a child:
the fact of being unwilling to give information about something, or answer questions that tell people too much about you synonym reticence. government coyness in relation to military spending. Check pronunciation: coyness. Definition of coyness noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
1. a. Affectedly and often flirtatiously shy or modest: "I pictured myself as some sylvan deity, and she a coy wood nymph of whom I was in pursuit" (Washington Irving). b. Characterized by or suggesting such shyness or modesty: "How absurd I must have looked standing there before him ... a coy little simper on my foolish young face" (Jane Avrich).
( especially of women) being or pretending to be shy, or like a child: She gave me a coy look from under her schoolgirl's fringe. Synonyms. bashful. modest (QUIETLY SUCCESSFUL) approving. reserved (PERSON) reticent formal. retiring (SHY) formal. self-effacing.
the affectation of being demure in a provocative way.
If someone is being coy, they are unwilling to talk about something that they feel guilty or embarrassed about. The hotel are understandably coy about the incident. Mr Alexander is not the slightest bit coy about his ambitions. [ + about] Synonyms: uncommunicative, mum, secretive, reserved More Synonyms of coy.
showing marked and often playful or irritating evasiveness or reluctance to make a definite or committing statement. “a politician coy about his intentions” synonyms: indefinite. vague or not clearly defined or stated. adjective. modestly or warily rejecting approaches or overtures.
coy (about something) not willing to give information about something, or give answers that tell people too much about you synonym reticent. She was a little coy about how much her contract is worth. The company is coy about revealing its profits.
