coze: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/ArchaicLiterary/Poetic
Quick answer
What does “coze” mean?
A comfortable or cosy chat.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A comfortable or cosy chat; a friendly, intimate talk.
The act of conversing in a relaxed, intimate manner; the atmosphere or state of cosy intimacy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is more likely to be encountered in British historical or literary contexts due to its close relationship with the more common British term 'cosy' (vs. American 'cozy'). In modern usage, it is virtually extinct in both varieties.
Connotations
Evokes a quaint, old-fashioned, or domestic sense of comfort. In American English, it might be perceived as an obscure Britishism.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, surviving primarily in 19th and early 20th-century literature.
Grammar
How to Use “coze” in a Sentence
[Subject] had a coze with [Person] [Adjunct: by the fire/in the parlour]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used, except perhaps as a quoted example in historical linguistics.
Everyday
Not used in modern everyday language.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coze”
Strong
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coze”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'Let's coze' is non-standard). Treating it as a modern, active vocabulary item.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'coze' is considered a rare and archaic word. It is primarily found in 19th-century literature and is not part of active modern vocabulary.
While historically there is evidence of sporadic verb use (meaning 'to chat cosily'), the standard and only reliably attested use is as a noun.
'Cosy/cozy' is an adjective describing a state of warm, comfortable intimacy. 'Coze' is a noun specifically denoting the friendly, intimate conversation that happens in such a setting.
For learners of English, it is only useful for passive recognition when reading older texts. It is not recommended for active use, as it will sound unnatural and archaic to native speakers.
A comfortable or cosy chat.
Coze is usually literary/poetic in register.
Coze: in British English it is pronounced /kəʊz/, and in American English it is pronounced /koʊz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “none”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'cosy' (cozy) 'conversation' that ends with a 'Zzz' sound of relaxed contentment - that's a COZE.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTIMATE CONVERSATION IS WARMTH / FRIENDSHIP IS DOMESTIC COMFORT
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate synonym for 'coze' in a literary context?