coif

1 of 2

noun

ˈkȯif 

in sense 2 also

ˈkwäf 

1

: a close-fitting cap: such as

a

: a hoodlike cap worn under a veil by nuns

b

: a protective usually metal skullcap formerly worn under a hood of mail

c

: a white cap formerly worn by English lawyers and especially by serjeants-at-law

also : the order or rank of a serjeant-at-law

2

: coiffure

… wore her hair teased into a dramatic coif.

—Lawrence Wright

coif

2 of 2

verb

ˈkȯif  ˈkwäf 

coiffed or coifed; coiffing or coifing

transitive verb

1

: to cover or dress with or as if with a coif

2

[after French coiffer — more at coiffure] : to arrange (hair) by brushing, combing, or curling

Her long blonde hair was nicely coifed.

Examples of coif in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

After five teenage boys are shown horsing around on a Malibu beach for a few seconds, the shot dissolves into Liam’s perfect coif, his unbuttoned shirt, his disarming smile. —Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019

His team of stylists is also a cut above the rest, should your coif be chuffed and in need of repair. —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 9 Aug. 2024

Verb

My hair was coiffed into a sleek modern bun by David Cotteblanche, the stylist behind three of my Met Gala hairdos, and a Bobbi Brown artist applied my makeup. —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024

He was coiffed like one of the Hudson Brothers, with a chiseled grin redolent of Engelbert Humperdinck. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 19 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English coife, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to early Medieval Latin cofea, cuphia, of uncertain origin

Verb

Middle English coifen, derivative of coife coif entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

coif

1 of 2 noun

ˈkȯif 

in sense 2 usually

ˈkwäf 

1

: a close-fitting cap

2

: coiffure

coif

2 of 2 verb

ˈkȯif  ˈkwäf 

coiffed or coifed; coiffing or coifing

: to cover or dress with a coif