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Coy Very Common

Coy has 8 different meanings across 2 categories:

Adjective · Proper Noun

Definitions
Noun
1

A trap from which waterfowl may be hunted.

"The coy company refused to release its quarterly earnings, leaving investors frustrated by their lack of transparency."

2

A company

In plain English: A company is an organization that provides goods or services to earn profit.

"Coy Oil is a major supplier of gasoline to the region."

Usage: Describe someone who pretends to be shy or uninterested, often to attract attention. Use it to depict a playful reluctance rather than genuine shyness-for example, "She gave a coy smile when he complimented her."

Verb
1

To caress, pet; to coax, entice.

"The kitten let out a soft meow when she reached down to coyly stroke its fur until it rolled over for more attention."

In plain English: To be coy means to act shy or playful to hide your interest in someone or something.

"She coyed the kitten until it finally purred and rubbed against her hand."

Usage: Coy means shy or reserved, often in an alluring way. Use it to describe someone who pretends not to notice or care about something they actually do, like a person feigning disinterest in a romantic advance.

Adjective
1

affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way

"She gave him a coy smile and pretended not to notice when he slipped her an extra cookie."

2

showing marked and often playful or irritating evasiveness or reluctance to make a definite or committing statement

"a politician coy about his intentions"

coy
3

modestly or warily rejecting approaches or overtures

"like a wild young colt, very inquisitive but very coy and not to be easily cajoled"

coy
4

Bashful, shy, retiring.

"She gave a coy smile and quickly looked away when he complimented her on her painting."

In plain English: Coy means pretending to be less interested than you really are.

"She gave a coy smile when he complimented her dress."

Usage: Coy describes someone who pretends to be unaware of interest in something, often to appear modest or playful. Use it when describing a deliberate and charming display of shyness rather than genuine awkwardness.

Proper Noun
1

A surname​.

"The local news reported that the Coy family donated their land to build a new community center."

Example Sentences
"She gave a coy smile when he complimented her dress." adj
"Coy Oil is a major supplier of gasoline to the region." noun
"She coyed the kitten until it finally purred and rubbed against her hand." verb
Compare
Coy vs