ENGLISH
REFERENCE

coy

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈkɔɪ// UK //kˈɔɪ// coy Archaic

adj. pretending to be shy or modest to get someone's attention. You might also use it when someone is being secretive about information in a playful way.

adj. making a pretense of shyness or modesty that is intended to be alluring. Often describes a refusal to give a straight answer about a specific topic to maintain interest or mystery.


SIMPLE

She gave him a coy smile from across the room.

CONTEXTUAL

The director was coy about the film's budget, refusing to confirm the exact figures during the interview.

COMPLEX

By remaining coy regarding her political ambitions, the senator managed to dominate the news cycle without committing to a formal campaign or facing early scrutiny from her rivals.

Synonyms
Usage

Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'act', or 'remain'.

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