Coyly - Wordle 409 angers fans as some insist, 'that's not a real word'
The word 'coyly' has stumped a number of wordle players who struggled to work out this recent challenge and ruined their streaks
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to W&H Newsletter Newsletter


The word 'coyly' is the most recent five-letter-word to stump wordle players who were unable to solve this difficult challenge from the New York Times.
Wordle has been known to dig up unusual five-letter words from the dictionary and stump players with unfamiliar words. Words such as quart, agape, aphid, trite, and agape, are some of the most recent challenges to confound fans who love this game. On August 2, 2022, the New York Times threw another similar curveball as players were challenged to solve the word 'coyly'.
Many fans were unfamiliar with this word and insisted that this challenge was not only too tricky, but perhaps 'coyly' was not actually a real word.
You may also like...
These are the best wordle starter words to improve your game, and they're scientifically approved! (opens in new tab)
Many fans took to social media to complain about this recent challenge, and many agreed that 'coyly' was not a real word.
"I don’t think that’s a word, Wordle. I am very angry. My 34 streak broken. Wordle 409 X/6," said one fan who failed to solve the puzzle.
"I don’t even feel bad about failing todays. I’m not sure it’s even a real word! Wordle 409 X/6" said another. "That's not a real word you can go to hell #Wordle 409 X/6," said yet another player.
Thats not a real word ypu can go to hell #Wordle 409 X/6🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜🟩⬜🟩⬜⬜🟩⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩⬜August 2, 2022
Others were simply frustrated that they had ruined their streaks. "Wordle 409 X/6 I've not heard of this word. Will end a few streaks I guess," said one player.
"Wordle 409 X/6* And another streak bites the dust," said another.
"Nooo I broke my streak 88 days straight without messing up," said yet another disappointed fan.
Wordle 409 X/6Nooo I broke my streak 😞 88 days straight without messing up.⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜🟩⬜🟩🟨⬜🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩🟩August 2, 2022
Coyly meaning
The word coyly stumped a number of fans because they had never heard of the word before. If you were unfamiliar with this word, don't worry! You are not alone. So what does 'coyly' mean?
Coyly is derived from the word coy which means shy, pretending to be shy, or secretive. One definition in the Oxford dictionary (opens in new tab) states that coyly means, "in a way that is shy, or that is pretending to be shy and innocent, especially about love or sex, and sometimes in order to make people more interested in you." For example, "She smiled coyly at him."
The alternative definition for coyly is, "in a way that shows that you are not willing to give information about something, or answer questions that tell people too much about you." For example, "The report coyly insisted that there is very little information about how many applications are 'lost'."
If you are looking to boost your Wordle scores there are a number of Wordle hacks and Wordle tricks, that may help you improve at the online word game.
If you fancy something a little different instead, there are a number of Wordle alternatives that are just like Wordle, but with a slightly different twist to keep things interesting!
Laura is a news writer for woman&home who primarily covers entertainment and celebrity news. Laura dabbles in lifestyle, royal, beauty, and fashion news, and loves to cover anything and everything to do with television and film. She is also passionate about feminism and equality and loves writing about gender issues and feminist literature.
Laura loves drinking and eating and can often be found trying to get reservations at London's trendiest restaurants. When she's not wining and dining, Laura can also be found travelling, baking, and hiking with her dog.
-
-
The Queen's love of animals highlighted by adorable unearthed photos with an elephant
The Queen's love of animals has been well established over the years and was highlighted by an adorable elephant photo from 2017
By Laura Harman • Published
-
How to organize kitchen drawers: 10 expert tips to restore order to messy storage
Knowing how to organize kitchen drawers with efficiency is the key to a well-functioning space that enriches your cooking experience
By Tamara Kelly • Published
-
Quart - Wordle players infuriated by 'very American' word as streaks are lost
The word 'quart' has infuriated wordle players as many struggled to solve this challenge and ruined their winning streaks
By Laura Harman • Published
-
Elope - Wordle 401 goes viral as fans fail to solve the puzzle
The word 'elope' has confused a number of Wordle players who were unable to solve this recent puzzle and ruined their streaks
By Laura Harman • Published
-
Tryst - Wordle players furious with 'impossible no vowel challenge'
The word tryst has infuriated wordle players who were unable to solve this five-letter word that featured no vowels and only consonants
By Laura Harman • Published
-
Aphid - fans 'give up' on Wordle's most difficult challenge yet
The word 'aphid' has frustrated a number of Wordle players who were unable to solve this puzzle and some labeled it 'impossible'
By Laura Harman • Published
-
Agape - Wordle players devastated by another 'almost impossible' challenge'
The word 'agape' has frustrated Wordle players as fans struggled to solve this unfamiliar word and took to social media to complain
By Laura Harman • Published
-
Gawky - Wordle 375 goes viral as the hardest challenge to date
The word 'gawky' has infuriated a number of Wordle fans as many failed to guess the uncommon word and ruined their streaks
By Laura Harman • Published
-
Droll - Wordle fans are angered by streak-killing word
The word 'droll' has proved a difficult challenge for some wordle players who struggled to work out this latest challenge
By Laura Harman • Published
-
Brink - Wordle fans are bamboozled by another tricky word
The word 'brink' has caused confusion for Wordle players, so here's the definition of the word, and why players found it tricky...
By Laura Harman • Published