Coy

Coy describes someone, typically a woman, who is intentionally and teasingly reluctant to reveal information about themselves or their feelings, or to make a commitment. It often involves playing hard to get, feigning shyness or modesty, or avoiding direct answers to questions. Coy behavior can be a form of flirtation, an attempt to create intrigue, or a way to maintain control in a social situation.

Coy meaning with examples

• The young woman batted her eyelashes and gave a Coy smile when asked about her dating life, keeping her secrets close. Her hesitation only piqued his interest further, fueling their playful banter. Her response left the group guessing.
• She was Coy about her artistic talents, downplaying her achievements even as admiring comments came pouring in about the details of her gallery display, showcasing her humility, while still keeping the spotlight on her skills.
• During the job interview, the candidate was Coy when discussing her salary expectations. She chose to defer, hoping to learn more about the position before committing to a number, maintaining negotiation leverage.
• The politician offered a Coy response to questions regarding their future campaign plans, providing vague, yet insightful, responses in order to generate anticipation while withholding specific commitments from the press.
• Despite repeated prompts, she was consistently Coy in her attempts to describe her vacation; she provided short anecdotes, which further aroused the listener's curiosity. Her secrecy made the vacation seem all the more fascinating.