cosy
gb/kˈoʊzi/ us/kˈoʊzi/
B1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
warm, comfortable, and inviting
Warm and comfortable in a pleasant way.
Usage pattern:
[place/room] is cosy; a cosy [room/blanket/fire]
Common mistake:
Learners may think cosy and cozy are different words; cozy is the usual US spelling.
Synonyms
comfortable (focuses more on physical ease than warmth.)
|
snug (often suggests small, warm, and enclosed.)
|
warm (describes temperature, not always the pleasant atmosphere.)
Antonyms
cold (not warm or comforting.)
|
uncomfortable (not pleasant to be in or use.)
|
draughty (unpleasantly cold because air comes in.)
Collocations
a cosy room
|a cosy living room
|a cosy fire
|a cosy cottage
|a cosy café
|a cosy blanket
|cosy socks
|a cosy evening
|cosy lighting
|make it cosy
Themes
home
|daily_life
|feelings
Examples
- The little café was cosy, with soft lighting and warm drinks.
- We stayed in a cosy cottage by the lake.
- She pulled a blanket over her knees to feel cosy.
Learner examples
- This room is cosy.
- I like cosy socks in winter.
adjective
B2
property
2
friendly, intimate, and relaxed
Friendly and close, usually with a small number of people.
Usage pattern:
a cosy [chat/meal/get-together]; a cosy atmosphere
Common mistake:
Cosy does not always mean romantic; it can describe any friendly, private atmosphere.
Synonyms
intimate (can sound more personal or private, sometimes romantic.)
|
friendly (more general and not necessarily private.)
|
informal (emphasises lack of formality rather than warmth.)
Antonyms
formal (not relaxed or private.)
|
distant (not friendly or close.)
|
impersonal (lacking warmth or familiarity.)
Collocations
a cosy chat
|a cosy dinner
|a cosy get-together
|a cosy atmosphere
|a cosy family meal
|a cosy conversation
|a cosy evening in
|a cosy gathering
Themes
relationships
|social
|feelings
Examples
- We had a cosy dinner with just a few close friends.
- It was a cosy little party, not a big event.
- They spent the evening in cosy conversation.
Learner examples
- We had a cosy meal at home.
adjective
C1
property
3
too close in a suspicious way
Too friendly or connected in a way that seems wrong.
Usage pattern:
a cosy [relationship/arrangement/deal] (between [A] and [B])
Common mistake:
This negative sense is common in news and business; it is not a compliment.
Synonyms
too close (more direct; less idiomatic.)
|
collusive (stronger and more explicitly about secret cooperation.)
|
backroom (suggests secretive decision-making.)
Antonyms
transparent (open and not secretive.)
|
arms-length (kept deliberately separate and impartial.)
|
impartial (not biased toward one side.)
Collocations
a cosy relationship
|a cosy arrangement
|a cosy deal
|cosy ties
|a cosy understanding
|a cosy agreement
|a cosy little cartel
Themes
business
|politics
|society
Examples
- The report criticised the regulator for its cosy relationship with the industry.
- They were accused of making cosy deals behind closed doors.
- Voters distrust politicians who seem too cosy with big donors.
Learner examples
- The newspaper wrote about a cosy deal.
Noun
B2
entity
4
cover that keeps a teapot warm
A cover that keeps a teapot warm.
Usage pattern:
a [tea] cosy; put a cosy on [a teapot]
Common mistake:
Often said as tea cosy; the noun by itself may be unclear without context.
Synonyms
teapot cover (more explicit; less common as a set term.)
Antonyms
lid (a hard top; not insulating like a cosy.)
Collocations
a tea cosy
|a knitted cosy
|a crocheted cosy
|a teapot cosy
|put on the cosy
|a handmade cosy
Themes
home
|food_and_drink
Examples
- She knitted a new cosy for the teapot.
- Put the cosy on to keep the tea hot.
- The teapot came with a patterned cosy.
Learner examples
- This cosy keeps the teapot warm.
Grammar
Dictionary form
cosy
IPA
GB/kˈoʊzi/
US/kˈoʊzi/
Syllables & stress
cosy (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (cosy)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: cosy
- Comparative: cosier
- Superlative: cosiest
Noun
- Base: cosy
- Plural: cosies
Word family
Expressions
cosy corner
1/kˈoʊzi kˈɔɹnɚ/
fixed phrase
small comfortable spot
A comfortable little place to sit.
Examples
- She created a cosy corner with an armchair and a reading lamp.
- The hotel lobby has a cosy corner for guests to read.
- I like this cosy corner by the window.
cosy up
1/kˈoʊzi ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
informal
move close for warmth
To sit or lie close to feel warm and comfortable.
Examples
- We cosied up on the sofa with a film.
- The children cosied up to the fire after coming in from the cold.
- The cat cosied up beside her on the bed.
cosy up to
1/kˈoʊzi ˈʌp tə/
phrasal verb
informal
try to gain favour
To act very friendly to get something you want.
Examples
- He tried to cosy up to the boss before the promotions were decided.
- Some companies cosy up to politicians to influence policy.
- Don’t cosy up to me just because you need a favour.
get cosy
1/ɡˈɛt kˈoʊzi/
fixed phrase
informal
make yourself comfortable
To get comfortable and warm.
Examples
- Come in and get cosy by the fire.
- I made some tea and got cosy under a blanket.
- Let’s get cosy on the sofa and watch a series.
make yourself cosy
1/mˈeɪk jʊɹsˈɛlf kˈoʊzi/
fixed phrase
informal
settle in comfortably
Relax and be comfortable here.
Examples
- Make yourself cosy while I put the kettle on.
- She told us to make ourselves cosy in the living room.
- Make yourself cosy on the sofa—I’ll be back in a minute.