Shy, bashful, diffident, modest, coy mean not inclined to be forward The mayor was coy about his future political aspirations. Shy implies a timid reserve and a shrinking from familiarity or contact with others.
(especially of women) being or pretending to be shy… When insincere or affected, to reveal one's plans or opinions, make a commitment, or take a stand Artfully or affectedly shy or reserved
Take the adjective coy for a person who pretends to be shy but really isn't, or someone who could give a definite answer but won't Coy behavior can be playful or just plain annoying. 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.
Definition of coy adjective in oxford advanced learner's dictionary Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. 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.
See ‘meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. 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).
