cozy

adjective co·zy \ ˈkō-zē \

Updated on: 17 May 2018

cozier; coziest

1 a : enjoying or affording warmth and ease : snug

a cozy lakeside cabin

b : marked by or providing contentment or comfort

won by a cozy margin

2 a : marked by the intimacy of the family or a close group

We had a cozy dinner with the whole family.

b : marked by or suggesting close association or connivance

a cozy agreement

His political opponents accused him of getting too cozy with powerful companies.

3 : marked by a discreet and cautious attitude or procedure

a cozy waiting game

—

cozily

play \ˈkō-zə-lē\ adverb

—

coziness

play \ˈkō-zē-nəs\ noun

See cozy defined for English-language learners

See cozy defined for kids

Examples of cozy in a Sentence

The room was warm and cozy.
We had a cozy dinner with the whole family.
I spent a cozy evening reading in front of the fire.
He claims that there is a cozy arrangement between the police and the drug dealers.

Recent Examples of cozy from the Web

But, another possible explanation is that that two female owls are actually related, either as sisters or a mother-daughter pair, which could explain their tolerant, if not cozy, relationship.

— saryn chorney, ajc, "'Unheard of' polygamous owl family consists of two moms, one dad and pair of owlets," 3 May 2018
Here's a few views of cozy places to read, learn, sip, wander into a podcast, or just get lost in other worlds.

— jamie ramsay, Chicago Reader, "Peek inside these local bookstores—then visit in person on Indie Bookstore Day," 27 Apr. 2018
At times Crawford likes to voyage out toward the rougher edges of the genres, but her home is right at the warm and cozy center, and her songs a welcoming embrace for all comers.

— aaron davis, sacbee, "Catch some country, rock, blues and soul in Sacramento this weekend | The Sacramento Bee," 20 Apr. 2018
The clothes look remarkably cozy, which is a new style for Owens and a departure from the intricate, origami-like designs he’s known for.

— sarah spellings, The Cut, "Rick Owens’s Latest Capsule Collection Makes Socks and Sandals Look Good," 4 Apr. 2018
Another pie would represent the cozy, candle-in-the-Chianti-bottle, Dean Martin-on-the-sound-system, old-school Italian restaurant.

— Anchorage Daily News, "At Saverio’s, many kinds of pizzeria under one roof," 19 Apr. 2018
The National Institutes of Health is facing mounting criticism and questions amid a series of reports outlining what appears to be an all-too-cozy relationship with the alcohol industry.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "“I don’t f—ing care”: In wooing $67M from big alcohol, NIH nixed critical study," 3 Apr. 2018
Tensions are always on the rise in the cozy-yet-murderous town of Riverdale—and an all new episode on January 31 promises to deliver.

— alex warner, Marie Claire, "These Exclusive 'Riverdale' Photos Will Have You Stressed About Archie's Future," 22 Jan. 2018
Handmade in California by artist, beekeeper, and farmer Erin Pata, these triple-wick wonders are 100% raw beeswax for a cozy and healthy vibe.

— allison young, Sunset, "Top 10 Holistic Home Products," 22 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cozy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cozy

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian koselig cozy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1709

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

cozy Synonyms

Phrases

at ease, at home;

Synonym Discussion of cozy

comfortable, cozy, snug, easy, restful mean enjoying or providing a position of contentment and security. comfortable applies to anything that encourages serenity, well-being, or complacency as well as physical ease.

- started feeling comfortable in our new surroundings

cozy suggests warmth, shelter, assured ease, and friendliness.

- a cozy neighborhood coffee shop

snug suggests having just enough space for comfort and safety but no more.

- a snug little cottage

easy implies relief from or absence of anything likely to cause discomfort or constraint.

- living in easy circumstances

restful applies to whatever induces or contributes to rest or relaxation.

- a quiet restful vacation

cozy

noun

plural cozies

1 : a padded covering especially for a teapot to keep the contents hot

2 : a light detective story that usually features a well-educated protagonist and little explicit violence

See cozy defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of cozy from the Web

Others invited guests to spin a wheel, handing out logo-laden tote bags and beer cozies.

— beth spotswood, San Francisco Chronicle, "Overly branded brunch leaves some diners cold," 27 Mar. 2018
Brown said the other day, in San Francisco, gesturing toward a photograph of footwear that bulged and puckered like a tea cozy.

— james b. stewart, The New Yorker, "When Your Shoes are Made of Wood Pulp," 14 Mar. 2018
Now there’s a kind of cozy, warm and welcoming vibe to the place that gives the hotel’s public and private spaces a residential feel that sparks a try-this-at-home impulse.

— valli herman, latimes.com, "The subtle ways the Hotel Figueroa's redesign is a tribute to women," 10 Mar. 2018
Located along the shores of Indian Lake in the Adirondack Mountains, this old-fashioned camp has been hosting families for decades in its 23 cozy and comfortable cabins.

— amanda loudin /, NBC News, "If you want a truly unplugged experience this weekend, these hotels want to help.," 9 Mar. 2018
Like any good cozy, the truth is a surprise and the ending is happy.

— adam woog, The Seattle Times, "Cozy up with cozy mysteries," 26 Jan. 2018
The studio spaces were at once immaculate and cozy, and the equipment was even nicer.

— jared bajkowski, kansascity, "Strange Music listening party for Mackenzie Nicole 2018 | The Kansas City Star," 9 Jan. 2018
Marshmallows, however, remain the classic cozy topping.

— kat eschner, Smithsonian, "Marshmallow-Topped Hot Chocolate Will Keep You Warm This Long Solstice Night," 21 Dec. 2017
If one person is really good at budgeting and the other person is really good at looking fly in a bathing suit, or looking fly-cozy in a Christmas sweater at home, dole out the division of labor accordingly.

— sophie saint thomas, GQ, "4 Practical Tips for Traveling as a Couple This Holiday Season Without Going Insane," 20 Dec. 2017

Origin and Etymology of cozy

see ¹cozy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1863

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

cozy

adverb

: in a cautious manner

… play it cozy and wait for the other team to make a mistake.
—Bobby Dodd

Origin and Etymology of cozy

see ¹cozy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1946

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

COZY Defined for English Language Learners

cozy

adjective

: small, comfortable, and warm
: friendly and pleasant
: suggesting or showing a closeness between two people, groups, businesses, etc. : very close

cozy

noun

: a cloth cover that is placed over a teapot to keep the tea hot

COZY Defined for Kids

cozy

adjective co·zy \ ˈkō-zē \

cozier; coziest

: enjoying or providing warmth and comfort

a cozy fireplace

—

cozily

\-zə-lē\ adverb

—

coziness

\-zē-nəs\ noun

cozy

noun

plural cozies

: a padded covering for a container (as a teapot) to keep the contents hot

Learn More about cozy

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cozy Spanish Central: Translation of cozy Nglish: Translation of cozy for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cozy for Arabic speakers

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cozy Synonyms

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cozy

Recent Examples of cozy from the Web

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cozy

Origin and Etymology of cozy

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COZY Defined for Kids

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