1. (especially with reference to a woman) making a pretense of shyness or modesty that is intended to be alluring: "she treated him to a coy smile of invitation"
▪ reluctant to give details, especially about something regarded as sensitive: "he is coy about his age"
▪ quiet and reserved; shy.
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French coi, quei, from Latin quietus (see quiet). The original sense was ‘quiet, still’ (especially in behavior), later ‘modestly retiring’, and hence ‘affecting to be unresponsive to advances’.