What does coquetry mean?
Coquetry is flirtatious behaviour — the artful, teasing manner of someone who seeks attention or admiration without any sincere romantic intention. The word derives from French, ultimately rooted in 'coquet', itself a diminutive of 'coq' (rooster), evoking the strutting display of a barnyard cock. In modern English it appears mostly in literary, historical, or formal writing rather than everyday conversation, where simpler terms like 'flirting' prevail. It typically describes conduct — lingering glances, playful banter, coy gestures — and often carries a connotation of calculated charm or light insincerity rather than genuine feeling. Writers use it to characterise social manoeuvring, particularly in periods or settings where open courtship was constrained. Related forms include 'coquette', for a person who behaves this way, and 'coquettish', the adjectival form describing such manner or appearance.
nounThe practice of flirtatious behaviour intended to attract attention or admiration without serious intent; playful, often artful coyness in manner or dress.
- Playful, flirtatious behaviour or manner intended to attract admiration without serious romantic intent.
"Her coquetry at the dinner party left half the room convinced she was smitten and the other half amused."
"There was more than a touch of coquetry in the way she toyed with her glass and glanced away."
"The novelist portrayed her heroine's coquetry as both a weapon and a shield in a society that offered women few others."
Rare and chiefly literary; the word is normally treated as uncountable.
"The memoir catalogued the coquetries of her youth with wry affection."
Coquetry comes from the French word for a hen strutting and clucking to show off — literally 'little cock'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of coquetry
Coquetry entered English in the mid-17th century from French 'coquetterie', derived from 'coquet', the diminutive of 'coq' meaning rooster or cockerel. The underlying image is of a strutting, displaying bird, which gave rise to the sense of showing off to attract admirers. It is thus cognate with 'coquette' and 'coquettish', all sharing the same French root.
Related word forms
How coquetry is actually used
Somewhat formal or literary in register; rarely used in casual speech, where 'flirting' dominates. Often carries a faint suggestion of insincerity or calculation.
Easily confused with coquetry
A coquette is a person who flirts, while coquetry is the flirtatious behaviour itself.