cozy

or co·sy

[ koh-zee ]

adjective

, co·zi·er, co·zi·est.

1. comfortable and snug:

   We live in a cozy little house with a small garden in the back.

   Synonyms: sheltered, homey, comfy, snug

2. convenient or beneficial, usually as a result of dishonesty or connivance:

   A very cozy agreement between competing firms had kept the industry profitable for years.

3. suggesting opportunistic or conspiratorial intimacy:

   The exposé revealed a cozy relationship between lobbyists and some politicians.

4. discreetly reticent or noncommittal:

   The administrators are remaining cozy about which policy they plan to adopt.

5. relating to a genre of mystery stories with little suspense, explicit violence, or sexual content, often also having amateur sleuths and idyllic, intimate settings:

   I read lots of different books, but I like cozy mysteries best.

   Charming characters and just the right amount of danger make this cozy series a delight to read.

noun

, plural co·zies.

1. a padded covering for a teapot or coffeepot to retain the heat of the contents.
2. a mystery story with little suspense, explicit violence, or sexual content, often also having amateur sleuths and idyllic, intimate settings:

   I started out reading cozies and moved on to the hard-boiled detective novels.

verb (used with object)

, co·zied, co·zy·ing.

1. to make more warm or comfortable (often followed by up ):

   New curtains would cozy the room up a bit.

verb phrase

1. Informal.
   1. to move closer for comfort or affection:

      Come over to the fire and cozy up a bit.

   2. to try to become friendly or intimate in order to further one's own ends; attempt to ingratiate oneself:

      He's always cozying up to the boss.

cozy

/ ˈkəʊzɪ /

adjective

1. the usual US spelling of cosy

Derived Forms

• ˈcozily, adverb
• ˈcoziness, noun

Other Words From

• co·zi·ly adverb
• co·zi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cozy¹

First recorded in 1700–10; from Scots colsie, perhaps from Scandinavian; compare Norwegian koselig “cozy,” kose seg “to enjoy oneself”

Example Sentences

Salah began playing music and Helen felt "it was definitely time to go, he was getting too cozy".

From BBC

On an overcast Thursday in early October, Springfield’s home is socked-in under a marine layer, but in his backyard gazebo, a cozy fireplace is crackling.

From Los Angeles Times

L.A.-based Simon Miller knows how to craft stylish and cozy, as demonstrated in the Jetz coat, a dramatic faux-fur shearling coat with an oversized collar, side pockets and double-breasted front closure.

From Los Angeles Times

“The colors and sepia-toned aesthetic of the intro set a cozy, nostalgic tone that aligns so well with the fall season, making it feel like a quintessential autumn show.”

From Los Angeles Times

Friday night’s predicted low temperature of 51 degrees in Los Angeles might tempt some to light a cozy fall fire.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• comfortable
• comfy
• cushy
• intimate
• snug