The Only Use of
coy
in
The Fault in Our Stars
- "When can I see you?"
"Certainly not until you finish An Imperial Affliction." I enjoyed being coy.p. 52.2coy = acting reluctant to make a definite or committing statement
Definition:
playfully shy or subtly playful to seem inviting -- often pretending to be shy, innocent, or unaware
and/or:
deliberately indirect or withholding -- especially to avoid giving information or committing to something
and/or:
deliberately indirect or withholding -- especially to avoid giving information or committing to something
Authors often use "coy" to describe behavior that is both playful and withholding. Sometimes it's teasing and inviting, other times it’s meant to avoid a direct answer—or both at once.