Meaning

(intransitive) To become cozy; (by extension) to become acquainted, comfortable, or familiar with..

Definitions by Sense

1. (intransitive) To become cozy; (by extension) to become acquainted, comfortable, or familiar with.
2. (archaic) To cheat; to defraud; to deceive, usually by small arts, or in a pitiful way.

Example Sentences

"As I see it, Master Fraser, a 'bairn' ought to be verra concerned when a mon thrice her age cozens up to her."

A wasp nest cozened up in the corner of the far ceiling.

I heard someone at the swap meet say they were going to cozen up to someone, and someone else told me my sales pitch was a filibuster.

[…] good Vulcan, for Cupids sake that hath cousned us all: befriend us as thou maiest […]

What diuell was't / That thus hath couſend you at hoodman-blinde?

[I]t was resolved that he was to do his duty; that is, to redeem his vow; that is, to pay a debt cozened from him by a sharper […]

It is certain that children may be cozened into goodness, and sick men to health, and passengers in a storm into safety; and the reason of these is, — because not only the end is fair, and charitable, and just, but the means are such which do no injury to the persons which are to receive benefit;[…].

The man, too, who has been matrimonially cozened, "would all the world might be cozened," for he has been cozened, and beaten too; but with him the cudgel is "hallowed;" he would "hang it o'er the altar;" perhaps for the reason given by the "Merry Wives of Windsor," because "it hath done meritorious service;" and no sooner is he, by a seemingly merciful disposition of Providence, released from the cudgeler, but he is in haste to be cozened and beaten again.

Word Forms

• cozens
• cozening
• cozened
• coosen
• coosin
• cosen

Synonyms for cozen

Related Words

When Should You Use Cozen?

Use cozen when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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