Coying: meaning, definitions and examples
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coying
[ ˈkɔɪɪŋ ]
behavior, attitude
Coying refers to the act of behaving in a shy, modest, or non-committal manner, often in a way that is intended to be alluring or teasing. It can involve playful shyness or a form of flirtation.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- She was coying when he complimented her.
- He smiled, coying in a way that made her laugh.
- They spent the evening coying with each other.
- Even though she liked him, she kept coying to keep him guessing.
Translations
Translations of the word "coying" in other languages:
🇵🇹 astucioso
🇮🇳 चतुर
🇩🇪 schüchtern
- versteckt
- listig
🇮🇩 cerdik
🇺🇦 хитрий
- лукавий
- сором'язливий
🇵🇱 przebiegły
- zawadiacki
- nieśmiały
🇯🇵 控えめな
- 遠慮した
- ずる賢い
🇫🇷 réservé
- rusé
- sournois
🇪🇸 tímido
- astuto
- sutil
🇹🇷 çekingen
- kurnaz
- sinsi
🇰🇷 소심한
- 교활한
- 엉큼한
🇸🇦 خجول
- ماكر
- محتال
🇨🇿 plachý
🇸🇰 plachý
🇨🇳 害羞的
- 狡猾的
- 偷偷摸摸的
🇸🇮 sramežljiv
🇮🇸 feginn
🇰🇿 ұяң
- сұмдық
- қулық
🇬🇪 მორცხვი
- სიბრძნე
- სისუსტე
🇦🇿 çəkinən
- düzgün
- sübhəsi
🇲🇽 tímido
- astuto
- sutil
Etymology
The term 'coy' originates from the Middle English word 'coi', which means quiet or shy. Its roots can be traced back to the Old French 'coi', meaning 'quiet', which itself comes from Latin 'quietus', meaning 'quiet' or 'calm'. Over the centuries, the meaning of 'coy' evolved to indicate not just a state of being quiet, but also an intentional shyness that can be alluring or flirtatious. In literature and common usage, the concept of being coy has often been associated with the charms of romantic intrigue, where individuals may downplay their interests or feelings to create an air of mystery or seduction.