coif

1 of 2

noun

ˈkȯif How to pronounce coif (audio)
in sense 2 also
ˈkwäf How to pronounce coif (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
After five teenage boys are shown horsing around on a Malibu beach for a few seconds, the shot dissolves into Liam’s perfect coif, his unbuttoned shirt, his disarming smile. Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019 His team of stylists is also a cut above the rest, should your coif be chuffed and in need of repair. Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 9 Aug. 2024
Verb
He was coiffed like one of the Hudson Brothers, with a chiseled grin redolent of Engelbert Humperdinck. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 19 Oct. 2024 You May Also Like Henson’s hair was coiffed to the side with a bold orange tint, styled by Tym Wallace. Julia Teti, WWD, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for coif 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of coif was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near coif

Cite this Entry

“Coif.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coif. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

coif

1 of 2 noun
ˈkȯif How to pronounce coif (audio)
in sense 2 usually
ˈkwäf How to pronounce coif (audio)
1
: a close-fitting cap
2

coif

2 of 2 verb
coiffed or coifed; coiffing or coifing
: to cover or dress with a coif

More from Merriam-Webster on coif

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