coy
Teasingly holding back
Coy describes a manner that is deliberately evasive or reluctant to commit, often while feigning shyness or modesty: She was coy about her plans.
The word frequently suggests playful withholding rather than genuine reserve—someone being coy knows exactly what they're doing.
In older usage, coy meant shy or modest without the implication of artifice, but modern use almost always carries a note of calculation or flirtation: He gave a coy smile when asked about the promotion.
Lacking courage or confidence
- diffidentLacking self-assurance
- self-consciousUncomfortably aware of oneself
- sheepishEmbarrassed and timid
- meekHumbly unassertive
mousy · shy · shrinking · hesitant · embarrassed · shamefaced · timorous · unassertive
Disinclined to speak freely
- guardedWary and restrained
- evasiveAvoiding direct response
- unforthcomingReluctant to share information
- noncommittalNot expressing clear opinion
circumspect · cagey · secretive · tight-lipped · elusive · vague · indirect · deflecting
Playfully alluring in manner
- kittenishPlayfully flirtatious
- flirtyPlayfully romantic in manner
- playfulInclined toward fun
- teasingPlayful, mild ridicule
alluring · seductive · enticing · provocative · beguiling · winsome · charming · captivating
Modestly reserved in manner
- primAffectedly proper and stiff
- modestLacking in pretension
- disingenuousFeigning ignorance or innocence
- calculatedFigured out mathematically
false modesty · affectation · artful · contrived · studied · feigned · put-on · insincere
timid
Lacking courage or confidence
- diffidentLacking self-assurance
- self-consciousUncomfortably aware of oneself
- sheepishEmbarrassed and timid
meek · mousy · shy · shrinking · hesitant · embarrassed · shamefaced · timorous · unassertive · insecure
reticent
Disinclined to speak freely
- guardedWary and restrained
- evasiveAvoiding direct response
- unforthcomingReluctant to share information
noncommittal · circumspect · cagey · secretive · tight-lipped · elusive · vague · indirect · deflecting · withholding
coquettish
Playfully alluring in manner
teasing · alluring · seductive · enticing · provocative · beguiling · winsome · charming · captivating · dallying
demure
Modestly reserved in manner
- primAffectedly proper and stiff
- modestLacking in pretension
- disingenuousFeigning ignorance or innocence
calculated · false modesty · affectation · artful · contrived · studied · feigned · put-on · insincere · overdone
- flirtingpickup line, wink, winking, hair flip, chat-up line
- humilityhumbleness, humble, meekness, modesty, modest
- teasingtease, teasing, rib, ribbing, josh
- cowardicecoward, cowardly, craven, gutless, spineless
- lovingloving, adoring, affectionate, amorous, caring
- silencequiet, silent, mute, hush, stillness
coyforthright
Directly honest in manner
direct · candid · frank · straightforward · upfront
- playing coyAffecting reluctant shyness
- coy smileFlirtatious, modest expression
decoy, coyness, decoys, coyly, decoyed, decoying, coyest, coyer