cozy

1 of 3

adjective

co·​zy ˈkō-zē How to pronounce cozy (audio)
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 adverb
coziness noun

cozy

2 of 3

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

cozy

3 of 3

adverb

: in a cautious manner
… play it cozy and wait for the other team to make a mistake.Bobby Dodd
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of cozy in a Sentence

Adjective 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 on the Web
Adjective
Find home items such as this medium rattan basket for storing blankets like this woven throw that adds a cozy touch to your sofa or armchair. Ali Faccenda, Peoplemag, 21 Nov. 2023 Silky-smooth intimates, cozy loungewear, and even going-out pieces await you. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 21 Nov. 2023 The home’s principal bedroom comes with its own cozy sitting room that’s complemented by a fireplace. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 21 Nov. 2023 Grab soft, stretchy, and lightweight satin pj's in the iconic pink stripe or cozy flannels in leopard print. Jenifer Calle, Glamour, 20 Nov. 2023 Gigi Hadid and Blake Lively both have distressed and faded rinses that pair well with cozy knits and comfy shoes. Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2023 For the in-law who loves a cozy sweater The cult-favorite Barefoot Dreams blanket is a great gift on its own, but the best way to improve upon the coziest, softest, snuggliest blanket? Karen I. Chen, wsj.com, 17 Nov. 2023 Silky-smooth intimates, cozy loungewear, and even a get-up worthy of a night out are all waiting to be added to your cart. Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Nov. 2023 Take this opportunity to treat yourself to a pair, that special someone with an affinity for all things cozy. Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2023
Noun
Men can opt for a zip-front version of the same cardigan to get their cozy on while at sea. Brittany Chrusciel, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2023 Costa Brazil Vela Candle There’s luxury, and then there’s a cozy a night in with Costa Brazil’s cult-favorite Vela candle burning. Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2023 Double the cozy with a complementary hoodie. Daria Smith, Southern Living, 3 June 2021 One picture shows a bollard covered in what amounts to a bollard cozy: a colorful knitted garment that slips over the bollard, transforming it into Queen Elizabeth II. John Kelly, Washington Post, 11 Nov. 2021 Holmes and Robach's romance became public when photos of the two looking cozy surfaced in November 2022 while both parties were still married. Lanae Brody, Peoplemag, 10 Jan. 2023 While downstairs, there is a library that draws inspiration from a Swedish drawing room; cozy and secluded, there is wood paneling on the walls, comfy wingback seats, timber and marble tables, and smoked glass chandeliers. Felicity Carter, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2023 So far, the U.S. entrepreneur’s electric-vehicle business has been mutually beneficial and his relationship with Beijing cozy. Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2022 The light can be wall-mounted or set on a shelf or other surface, and its warm orange light brings a cozy, homey atmosphere to any space. Lauren Phillips, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Jan. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cozy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Noun, and Adverb

perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian koselig cozy

First Known Use

Adjective

1709, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1863, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cozy was in 1709

Dictionary Entries Near cozy

Cite this Entry

“Cozy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cozy. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

cozy

1 of 2 adjective
co·​zy ˈkō-zē How to pronounce cozy (audio)
cozier; coziest
cozily adverb
coziness noun

cozy

2 of 2 noun
plural cozies
: a padded cover for a teapot used to keep the contents hot

More from Merriam-Webster on cozy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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