# cozy

/ˈkoʊzi/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cozy
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. warm and comfortable

adjective · CEFR B1 · American English

warm, comfortable, and making you feel relaxed and safe.

For teachers: giving a feeling of comfort, warmth, and relaxation. Often used to describe small, well-insulated spaces.

- We spent the rainy afternoon in a cozy little café by the fireplace.
- The cabin was remarkably cozy, with thick wool blankets and the gentle crackle of the wood stove providing a sanctuary from the blizzard outside.

### 2. a protective cover

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a soft cover put over a teapot or a boiled egg to keep it warm.

For teachers: a padded or knitted cover used to insulate a container, typically a teapot, and retain its heat.

- She knitted a colorful tea cozy to keep the pot warm during breakfast.
- The traditional tea cozy, though often viewed as a quaint domestic relic, remains an effective tool for maintaining the ideal serving temperature of a brew.

### 3. to get close to

verb · CEFR C1 · American English · Informal

to try to become friendly with someone, often to get an advantage.

For teachers: to give someone a feeling of intimacy or to ingratiate oneself with another person. Almost always used as the phrasal verb 'cozy up'.

- He tried to cozy up to the boss to get a better office.
- The lobbyist attempted to cozy up to the newly elected senator, hoping to secure a favorable hearing for the upcoming energy bill.

Usage: Usually appears as 'cozy up to [someone]'.

## Examples

- The small cabin is very cozy in the winter.
- We spent the rainy afternoon in a cozy corner of the library with hot tea and books.
- The architect designed the interior with low ceilings and soft lighting to create a cozy atmosphere that contrasts with the building's cold, modern exterior.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.