# coy

> English word · Adjective · IPA /kɔɪ/ · frequency rank #25,336

## Definitions
1. Bashful, shy, retiring.
2. Quiet, reserved, modest.
3. Reluctant to give details about something sensitive; notably prudish.
4. Pretending shyness or modesty, especially in an insincere or flirtatious way.
5. Soft, gentle, hesitating.

## Etymology
From Middle English coy, from Old French coi, earlier quei (“quiet, still”), from Latin qu(i)ētus (“resting, at rest”). Doublet of quit, quiet, quite, and quietus.

## Easily confused with
- **CT** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/coy-vs-ct)
- **CR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/coy-vs-cr)
- **cs** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/coy-vs-cs)
- **cp** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/coy-vs-cp)
- **CV** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/coy-vs-cv)
- **CU** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/coy-vs-cu)
- **CW** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/coy-vs-cw)
- **CX** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/coy-vs-cx)
- **cz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/coy-vs-cz)
- **CQ** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/coy-vs-cq)
- **cut** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/coy-vs-cut)
- **cup** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/coy-vs-cup)
- **cry** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/coy-vs-cry)
- **cum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/coy-vs-cum)
- **cuz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/coy-vs-cuz)
- **cue** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/coy-vs-cue)
- **CPU** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/coy-vs-cpu)
- **Cub** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/coy-vs-cub)
- **CPR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/coy-vs-cpr)
- **CSS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/coy-vs-css)

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/coy