What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
coying
Example
The coying smell of the flowers made me feel nauseous. [coying: adjective]
Example
She spoke in a coying voice, trying to get her way. [coying: gerund or present participle]
cloying
Example
The cloying taste of the cake made me feel sick. [cloying: adjective]
Example
His cloying compliments made me uncomfortable. [cloying: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cloying is more commonly used than coying in everyday language, and is more versatile in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between coying and cloying?
Cloying is more formal than coying, and is often used in more serious or critical contexts.
