1
: having a shy or sweetly innocent quality that is often intended to be attractive or to get attention
a coy flirt
I didn't like her coy manner.
a coy glance/smile
2
: not telling or revealing all the information that could be revealed
He gave a coy answer.
—often + aboutBoth companies are being coy about the merger deal.
Cite this Entry
“Coy.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/coy. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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