cosy

/ˈkəʊzi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkəʊzi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkəʊ.zi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkoʊ.zi/ (ame, ipa)

cosy — adjective

1. describing a room, building, or shelter that is small, warm, and pleasantly rela

1.形容詞B1
釋義

describing a room, building, or shelter that is small, warm, and pleasantly relaxing — the kind of space where you feel protected from the cold or from noise and want to stay for a long time.

例句

Mauricio curled up in a cosy corner of the library with a novel.

collocation: cosy corner + curl up

The guest room is small but feels cosy once you light the candles.

同義詞
  • comfortable

    more general term; does not imply warmth or smallness

  • snug

    suggests an even tighter, more enclosed feeling; less common outside UK

  • warm

    focuses on temperature only; lacks the emotional sense of safety

反義詞

文法句型

cosy + noun (room, cottage, blanket)

feel/look + cosy

用法筆記

British English spelling; American English writes 'cozy'. Commonly modifies nouns for rooms, shelters, and items that provide warmth: cottage, corner, fire, blanket, sweater, armchair.

常見錯誤

❌This office chair is very cosy.
✅This office chair is very comfortable.
💡Cosy describes a warm, sheltered atmosphere, not the softness of a single piece of furniture.

2. describing a crime or mystery story that avoids frightening or graphic content s

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describing a crime or mystery story that avoids frightening or graphic content such as violence, blood, or sex — the plot usually takes place in a pleasant small-town setting where an amateur solves the case in a gentle, often humorous way.

例句

Gabriel enjoys reading cosy mysteries set in quiet English villages.

The book club picked a cosy crime novel set in a seaside village for December.

同義詞
  • gentle

    broader — can describe any mild content, not just crime fiction

  • mild

    less literary; more about the absence of shock than a genre label

反義詞
  • gritty

    describes crime fiction with realistic violence and dark themes

  • graphic

    contains explicit depictions of violence or sex

文法句型

cosy + crime / mystery / detective story / novel

用法筆記

Only appears before nouns related to crime fiction — mystery, crime, novel, story, detective. Not used with other genres such as horror, thriller, or non-fiction.

常見錯誤

❌I watched a cosy horror film last night.
✅I watched a cosy mystery on television last night.
💡Cosy only describes gentle crime/mystery stories, not other genres.

3. describing a relationship or agreement that is convenient and beneficial for the

3.形容詞C1
釋義

describing a relationship or agreement that is convenient and beneficial for the people involved, but is widely seen as dishonest, unfair, or morally wrong because it excludes others or breaks rules.

例句

Journalists exposed a cosy arrangement between the minister and a construction firm.

Noa resigned after questions were raised about her cosy ties with industry lobbyists.

collocation: cosy ties with [someone]

同義詞
  • collusive

    stronger legal meaning of secret cooperation to deceive; less common in everyday use

  • back-room

    suggests secrecy but less specific about illegality; only used as a modifier

反義詞

文法句型

cosy + relationship / arrangement / deal / ties

用法筆記

Carries a disapproving or critical tone. Appears most often in journalism, parliamentary reports, and business investigations. Modifies relationship, arrangement, deal, tie, or understanding.

常見錯誤

❌We had a cosy meeting to discuss the project.' (intended as 'pleasant')
✅We had a productive meeting to discuss the project.
💡Cosy about a relationship implies ethical compromise, not comfort.

cosy — noun