cosiness
gb/kˈoʊsɪns/ us/kˈoʊsɪns/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
property
1
warm, comfortable atmosphere
a warm and comfortable feeling, especially at home
Usage pattern:
the cosiness of [place/room/home]
Common mistake:
Cosiness is the usual British spelling; coziness is the usual American spelling. Don’t confuse it with cozy/cosy (adjective).
Synonyms
snugness (emphasizes being pleasantly sheltered and warm.)
|
comfort (broader; not limited to atmosphere or surroundings.)
Antonyms
bleakness (suggests a cold, empty, or unwelcoming atmosphere.)
|
discomfort (the opposite feeling of ease and warmth.)
Collocations
the cosiness of the room
|domestic cosiness
|winter cosiness
|a feeling of cosiness
|add to the cosiness
|create cosiness
|a sense of cosiness
|evening cosiness
|a cosy fire and cosiness
|homely cosiness
Themes
home
|comfort
|daily_life
|emotions
Examples
- The soft lighting gave the living room a gentle cosiness.
- I love the cosiness of staying in on a rainy evening with a book.
- They tried to bring some cosiness to the flat with rugs and lamps.
Learner examples
- The room has a nice cosiness.
- I like the cosiness of my home in winter.
Noun
C1
abstract
2
friendly intimacy between people
a warm, friendly closeness with other people
Usage pattern:
a cosiness between [people/groups]
Common mistake:
Cosiness can describe relationships, not just rooms; in some contexts it can sound slightly critical (too familiar).
Synonyms
warmth (often emotional rather than about closeness in a small group.)
|
camaraderie (more about friendly companionship, often among colleagues or a team.)
Antonyms
distance (lack of emotional closeness or friendliness.)
|
formality (a more official manner that avoids intimacy.)
Collocations
a cosiness between them
|a certain cosiness
|a new cosiness
|an air of cosiness
|easy cosiness
|family cosiness
|social cosiness
|their cosiness
|a surprising cosiness
|a cosy cosiness
Themes
relationships
|emotions
|social
Examples
- There was a natural cosiness among the old friends as they caught up.
- Despite the small talk, he felt no cosiness with his new colleagues.
- The film captures the cosiness of family life without sentimentalising it.
Learner examples
- I felt cosiness with my classmates.
- There was cosiness between the neighbours.
Noun
formal
C1
abstract
3
overly close relationship (disapproving)
a relationship that is too close and may be unfair
Usage pattern:
cosiness between [institution A] and [institution B]
Common mistake:
In politics/business writing, cosiness often suggests something suspicious or unhealthy, not something pleasant.
Synonyms
collusion (stronger; suggests secret, dishonest cooperation.)
|
cronyism (emphasizes favouring friends in appointments or benefits.)
Antonyms
independence (freedom from influence or special treatment.)
|
impartiality (fairness and lack of bias in decisions.)
Collocations
unhealthy cosiness
|excessive cosiness
|cosiness between regulators and industry
|cosiness between government and business
|criticise the cosiness
|concerns about cosiness
|allegations of cosiness
|end the cosiness
|political cosiness
|institutional cosiness
Themes
business
|politics
|society
|ethics
Examples
- The report warned about cosiness between the watchdog and the companies it oversees.
- Opposition MPs accused the minister of cosiness with corporate donors.
- New rules were introduced to reduce cosiness in the tendering process.
Learner examples
- People complained about cosiness between the company and the government.
Grammar
Expressions
cosiness between [a] and [b]
1/kˈoʊsɪns bɪtwˈin ə ˈænd bˈi/
fixed phrase
formal
too-close relationship (often critical)
a relationship that is very close (often too close)
Examples
- Journalists questioned the cosiness between the contractor and the department.
- The inquiry looked into cosiness between officials and lobbyists.
- Voters were uneasy about the apparent cosiness between the mayor and developers.
cosiness factor
1/kˈoʊsɪns fˈæktɚ/
fixed phrase
how cosy something feels
how warm and comfortable something feels
Examples
- Candles and blankets really increase the cosiness factor.
- We chose that café for its cosiness factor on cold days.
- The hotel is modern, but it doesn’t have much of a cosiness factor.