Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
coquetry

coquetry

1 9.5
Playful behavior to attract someone in a romantic way
  • noun
  • /koʊˈkɛtri/
  • NSFW
translation icon : coquetería
  • He admired her coquetry, which was evident in the way she smiled and approached strangers.

Examples

  • Isabella may be a coquette, but her coquetry has upward mobility rather than vanity as its motivation.

    Academic text (2009)

  • "Because," she said, flashing him a look of pure coquetry.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • Yet she would try to smile at Edgar as if fondly, as if with dutiful coquetry.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • If Laurie condescended to even the slightest artifice or coquetry, he thought, she would become a creature of tremendous charm.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Madame Arnaud put her head to one side and smiled at him with a queer jerk, the style of coquetry one might expect from a marionette on strings.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • She exchanged again with him the side-glance smile of complicity, displayed the coquetry of joking reproaches that claimed him as hers, and recognized his judgment in quoting him on this matter or that, which was the atmosphere the young couples used to generate between them.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • Her playful coquetry caught his eye during the party, making her the center of attention.

  • With a touch of coquetry, she tossed her hair back and smiled brightly, drawing everyone closer.

Synonyms

flirting
vscoquetry
43 3.5

Playful or romantic behavior that shows interest in someone

is the same intent but framed as the general noun form
flirtation
vscoquetry
28 3.5

Playful behaviour to show romantic or sexual interest

is the general playful behavior aimed specifically at sexual attention
dalliance
vscoquetry
  • NSFW
8 9.3

Playful romantic behavior with sexual hints for a short time

is continuous or general playful behavior rather than a single episode
coyness
vscoquetry
1 7.0

A way of acting shy to seem attractive or get attention

is more openly playful rather than relying on feigned modesty
flirtatiousness
vscoquetry
1 6.7

Playful way of acting that shows romantic or sexual interest in another person

is the active behavior that shows that same quality
teasing
vscoquetry
  • Offensive
1 7.0

Acting to show sexual interest without wanting to continue

is playful attraction that may aim to engage interest rather than frustrate it
coquettishness
vscoquetry
9.1

Playful behavior, like smiling and teasing, that tries to attract romantic interest

is the same behavior described as the main term
toying
vscoquetry
  • Offensive
8.8

Playful teasing that tries to attract sexual attention

is broader playful courting aimed at attracting sexual attention
provocativeness
vscoquetry
  • NSFW
7.9

A quality that makes people feel sexual interest

is more playful and intentionally social rather than simply suggestive

Antonyms

seriousness
53 2.7

A calm and honest way of speaking or acting that shows you mean what you say

How Flirtatious

seduction
  • NSFW
23 5.8
coquetry
  • NSFW
1 9.5
teasing
2.7
playfulness
8 2.5

Surface Forms

coquetry singular
coquetries plural

Morphology

coquetry = coquette (transparent) = coquette + ry

The noun is directly formed from 'coquette' (a flirt) with the productive suffix '-ry' indicating behaviour or practice.

Etymology

The word coquetry comes from the French coquette, which means 'flirt', and that comes from coq, which means 'rooster'. Roosters show off to attract mates, so coquetry is playful showing-off to attract attention.