coif

1 of 2

noun

ˈkȯif 

in sense 2 also

ˈkwäf 

1

: a close-fitting cap: such as

a

: a hoodlike cap worn under a veil by nuns

b

: a protective usually metal skullcap formerly worn under a hood of mail

c

: a white cap formerly worn by English lawyers and especially by serjeants-at-law

also : the order or rank of a serjeant-at-law

2

: coiffure

… wore her hair teased into a dramatic coif.

—Lawrence Wright

coif

2 of 2

verb

ˈkȯif  ˈkwäf 

coiffed or coifed; coiffing or coifing

transitive verb

1

: to cover or dress with or as if with a coif

2

[after French coiffer — more at coiffure] : to arrange (hair) by brushing, combing, or curling

Her long blonde hair was nicely coifed.

Examples of coif in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

From that infamous electrified coif and chef's kiss of a hiss to a perfect balance of sexy and scary, Lanchester's Bride is still the kind of horror hottie, 90 years later, that most scream queens and final girls only hope to be. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025

Specifically, Tigray braids—AKA Albaso braids, Tigray lines, or Ethiopian lines—are characterized by fine cornrows fanning out towards the back and sides into a voluminous, downward flowing coif at the back. —Essence, 7 Nov. 2025

Verb

Grande’s hair was coiffed into a chignon on the top of her head by Alyx Liu, with makeup provided by Michael Anthony. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 17 Nov. 2025

At Chanel’s 2026 Cruise presentation, lead hair stylist Anthony Turner coiffed some gleaming, razor-sharp side parts ready for Mediterranean lounging. —Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English coife, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to early Medieval Latin cofea, cuphia, of uncertain origin

Verb

Middle English coifen, derivative of coife coif entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for coif

• cough
• doff
• goff
• groff
• off
• quaff
• raphe
• scoff
• trough
• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff

Kids Definition

coif

1 of 2 noun

ˈkȯif 

in sense 2 usually

ˈkwäf 

1

: a close-fitting cap

2

: coiffure

coif

2 of 2 verb

ˈkȯif  ˈkwäf 

coiffed or coifed; coiffing or coifing

: to cover or dress with a coif