Coyness

coy  (koi)

adj. coy·er, coy·est

1. Tending to avoid people and social situations; reserved.

2. Affectedly and usually flirtatiously shy or modest. See Synonyms at shy¹.

3. Annoyingly unwilling to make a commitment.

---

[Middle English, from Old French quei, coi, quiet, still, from Vulgar Latin *qutus, from Latin quitus, past participle of quiscere, to rest; see k^wei- in Indo-European roots.]

---

coyly adv.

coyness n.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

coyness - the affectation of being demure in a provocative way demureness affectedness - the quality of being false or artificial (as to impress others)