cozier

Cozy is an adjective meaning providing a sense of warmth, comfort, and safety. The comparative form is cozier, while the British spelling is cosier. Related forms include the noun coziness (cosiness) and the adverbs cozily (cosily). Cozy describes spaces, objects, atmospheres, and can also refer to relationships or arrangements that feel intimate or comfortably informal.

Etymology and spelling variants are tied to dialect. The term emerged in American English in the 18th or 19th century with the sense of warmth and homeliness, and a British spelling cosier has long existed as well. The adjectival forms follow standard comparative-building patterns: cozy → cozier, cosy → cosier. Corresponding adverbs are cozily or cosily, and the noun is coziness or cosiness.

Usage notes include that cozier often conveys a pleasant, unpretentious warmth rather than luxury. It is commonly applied to rooms, furnishings, clothing, or social settings that feel intimate or snug. It can also describe a trend toward greater comfort in plans or arrangements, such as a cozier seating layout or a cozier family gathering. In contrast, terms like “comfy,” “snug,” or “homely” may carry slightly different nuances.

In literature and media, the word appears in phrases such as “cozy mystery,” a genre focusing on lighthearted, intimate crime narratives set in small, comfortable communities. Overall, cozy and its variants are used to express a shift toward warmer, more inviting or secure environments.