View source for Cosy - cozy

The two spellings '''cosy''' and '''cozy''' are simply variant spellings of the same [[adjective]]. They are pronounced the same way, with usual transatlantic variation. The root meaning is 'comfortable' because warm and snug and well-sheltered.

*'''Cosy''' is the spelling preferred in British academic English - where '''cozy''' is not wrong. It is pronounced 'CO-zy', {{IPA|ˈkəʊ zɪ}}.
*'''Cozy''' is the spelling preferred in American English - where '''cosy''' is not wrong. It is pronounced 'CO-zy', {{IPA|ˈkoʊ zɪ}}.

**The spellings '''colsie''', '''cosie''', and '''cozie''' are also recorded in Scots.

***Two comparatively informal (non-academic) words also exist:

****As a [[noun]], '''cosy''' may denote 
*****a, usually quilted, textil;e covering to maintain the heat of the thing covered, such as a '''tea-cosy''' over a tea-pot, or an '''egg-cosy''' over a boiled egg.
*****a seat for two, often in a corner of the room.
****As a [[verb]], 'to '''cosy'''<nowiki>'</nowiki> forms two [[phrasal verb]]s:
*****'to cosy along' means to comfort or to reassure, often with a [[pejorative]] sense of deluding, 'lulling into a false sense of security'
*****'to cosy up to someone' is [[literal]]ly 'to snuggle up', 'to move close to another on a seat [with a sense of friendship and warmth]'; more [[figurative]]ly, it is 'to ingratiate oneself with someone, usually with an ulterior motive'.

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[[Category:alternative spellings]]
[[Category:AmE]]
[[Category:clarification of meanings]]