cozy

play

adjective co·zy \ ˈkō-zē \

Definition of cozy

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

Nearby (as all things are in the cozy cubbyhole of a space) 81-year-old Judy Misaka exchanges greetings with a booth of Latino regulars.

— patric kuh, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Last Bento-Ya in Boyle Heights Transports Diners to the Neighborhood’s Past," 25 Aug. 2017
Whaley's campaign isn't concerned about Cranley's reputation of being cozy with Republicans, either.

— jason williams, Cincinnati.com, "PX: John Cranley takes sides in Ohio governor's race," 17 Aug. 2017
A traditional Viennese dining experience, beisls are known for their down-to-earth, cozy atmospheres and for serving traditional cuisine.

— Smithsonian, "10 Unexpectedly Scenic Places in Austria," 14 Aug. 2017
Take a look below at some new images from the upcoming season, including the royal couple catching a cozy moment alone, and Princess Margaret casting an elegant pose.

— yohana desta, vanityfair.com, "The Crown: Queen Elizabeth Feels Pressure on All Sides in Gorgeous New Teaser," 10 Aug. 2017
In the evening, cozy up in private booths behind beaded curtains.

— julia sayers, AL.com, "Alys Beach: Escape to this serene Florida beach destination," 9 Aug. 2017
And therein lies the beauty of Merchant’s concert in a nearly full Copley Symphony Hall, where her folk-tinged, smoky voice quickly turned a big venue to something more intimate and cozy.

— michael james rocha, sandiegouniontribune.com, "In concert, a richer Natalie Merchant emerges," 19 July 2017
The show will be limited to 50 tickets, which means the already cozy Surface Noise will be wall to wall crowded.

— jeffrey lee puckett, The Courier-Journal, "For $100, Tommy Stinson will tell you a few stories about The Replacements," 18 July 2017
In 2012, a series of U-T Watchdog stories, using information brought forward by a handful of citizens, shed light on cozy relationships between school officials and vendors and contractors.

— allison sampite-montecalvo, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Sweetwater district supe gets pay raise, contract extension," 17 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

cozy Synonyms

Synonyms

canny [chiefly Scottish], comfy, comfortable, relaxed, snug

Antonyms

uncomfortable

Related Words

toasty, warm; content, contented, pleased, satisfied; easeful, peaceful, resting; easygoing, laid-back; undisturbed, unperturbed, untroubled

Near Antonyms

discontented, displeased, dissatisfied; agitated, disturbed, perturbed, troubled

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

Definition of cozy

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

The cleats are all white with a brown band, complete with Starbucks logo that is reminiscent of the cardboard cozies paired with most beverages from the chain.

— avery matera, Teen Vogue, "Stefon Diggs Now Has Custom Starbucks Cleats," 18 Aug. 2017
Selling grandma’s vintage tea cozies is a different endeavor from offloading your old stereo system.

— cleveland.com, "Tips for where to sell your stuff online (NerdWallet)," 19 May 2017
Is Chicago a cozy, boozy brown sipper, or a bubbly, refreshing drink served in a coupe?

— joseph hernandez, chicagotribune.com, "What we learned from trying to name Chicago's definitive cocktail," 12 May 2017
For a booming city of 90,000 trying to establish a balance between cutting edge and cozy, the culinary conundrum has gnawed at Fadness for a couple of years.

— john tuohy, Indianapolis Star, "Why Fishers is the land of chains and fast-food restaurants," 30 Apr. 2017
Nosh at the bar or a hightop table, or grab a seat on the cozy back patio.

— mary orlin, The Mercury News, "Best Bay Area burgers & brews," 23 Apr. 2017
The smell of smoldering Irish turf incense adds to the cozy, welcoming vibe.

— sarah gish, kansascity, "Seven ways to celebrate Irish culture in KC (and not just on St. Patrick’s Day)," 10 Mar. 2017

Origin and Etymology of cozy

see ¹cozy

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1863

See Words from the same year

cozy

adverb

Definition of cozy

: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

See Words from the same year

COZY Defined for English Language Learners

cozy

play

adjective

Definition of cozy for English Language Learners

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

cozy

noun

Definition of cozy for English Language Learners

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

COZY Defined for Kids

cozy

play

adjective co·zy \ ˈkō-zē \

Definition of cozy for Students

cozier; coziest

:enjoying or providing warmth and comfort

a cozy fireplace

—

cozily

\-zə-lē\ adverb

—

coziness

\-zē-nəs\ noun

cozy

noun

Definition of cozy for Students

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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up cozy? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

cozy

Definition of cozy

cozily

coziness

From the M-W Editors

Examples of cozy in a Sentence

Recent Examples of cozy from the Web

Origin and Etymology of cozy

cozy Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of cozy

cozy

Definition of cozy

Recent Examples of cozy from the Web

Origin and Etymology of cozy

cozy

Definition of cozy

Origin and Etymology of cozy

COZY Defined for English Language Learners

cozy

Definition of cozy for English Language Learners

cozy

Definition of cozy for English Language Learners

COZY Defined for Kids

cozy

Definition of cozy for Students

cozily

coziness

cozy

Definition of cozy for Students

Learn More about cozy

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'So Long': A Common But Mysterious Goodbye

9 Slang Words With Academic Origins

Trending: 'Bodega' Startup Draws Criticism, Mockery

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

Words of the Year: 1066