coif
1 of 2noun
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
Lawrence Wrightcoif
2 of 2verb
ˈkȯif ˈkwäf
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.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Angelique Jackson, Variety, 11 Aug. 2022 The wavy coif and puffy jowls of the father disguised as a matronly housekeeper. Madalyn Amato, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2022 Sally famously created Meg Ryan’s adorable choppy coif, conceived Miley Cyrus’ statement mullet, and spiffed up the Bidens and Hillary Clinton for the cover of Vogue. Beth Landman, Forbes, 3 June 2022 On the eve of her 96th birthday, Queen Elizabeth was spotted departing Windsor Castle in the backseat of a car, glasses on, her hair in its signature white coif. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2022 The very front was styled into a coif that dips slightly on his forehead before curling towards the back. Gabi Thorne, Allure, 24 Mar. 2022 In the ’90s, Kate Moss’s hair color used to change with regularity, but her debut of a candy-pink coif on the catwalk for Versace was especially surprising. Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2022 In the photos, taken at Dunsfold Aerodrome, Elizabeth Debicki's Diana sports the late royal's iconic coif, as well as a floral midi dress. Lauren Puckett-pope, ELLE, 10 Jan. 2022 From that fateful coif grew an impressive screen career, one that has positioned Ahmed as one of the industry’s most compelling, blazingly modern performers. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 20 Oct. 2021 Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2021 From start to finish, Khoudri has had hairstylist Adir Abergel by her side to help coif her shoulder-grazing brunette bob for every occasion, each more glamorous than the next. Lauren Valent, Vogue, 19 July 2021 More specialized professions emerged, including that of the hairdresser, who would visit women in their homes to cut and coif their hair. Marc Bain, Quartz, 27 Apr. 2020 In this key moment, Emma’s humanity bleeds through her perfectly coiffed, ironed and embroidered facade. The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2020 Her blond hair coifed, she was dressed in a navy cashmere turtleneck and jeans, a baroque pearl slung from a diamond chain around her neck, and alternated between burbling conspiratorial laughter and a cleareyed appraisal of what lies ahead. New York Times, 7 Nov. 2019 Kirby, looking beautifully coiffed and made up even at her most bruised and battered, is the obvious cast standout, stealing scene after scene from Johnson and Statham in what amounts to a kind of cinematic grand larceny. Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2019 Meanwhile, 14 stylists are coiffing the hordes of background players using about 50 wigs designated for extras. Meredith Blakestaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2019 Shirley, in her tank top and streaked hair, looked uneasy among the professionally dressed and well-coifed podcast hosts staffing the booths. Author: Britt Peterson, Anchorage Daily News, 31 July 2019 See More
Noun
Marshall spilled a bit more about the character’s coif, which incorporates Bailey’s trademark locs with some looser tresses. Angelique Jackson, Variety, 11 Aug. 2022 The wavy coif and puffy jowls of the father disguised as a matronly housekeeper. Madalyn Amato, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2022 Sally famously created Meg Ryan’s adorable choppy coif, conceived Miley Cyrus’ statement mullet, and spiffed up the Bidens and Hillary Clinton for the cover of Vogue. Beth Landman, Forbes, 3 June 2022 On the eve of her 96th birthday, Queen Elizabeth was spotted departing Windsor Castle in the backseat of a car, glasses on, her hair in its signature white coif. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 21 Apr. 2022 The very front was styled into a coif that dips slightly on his forehead before curling towards the back. Gabi Thorne, Allure, 24 Mar. 2022 In the ’90s, Kate Moss’s hair color used to change with regularity, but her debut of a candy-pink coif on the catwalk for Versace was especially surprising. Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 25 Feb. 2022 In the photos, taken at Dunsfold Aerodrome, Elizabeth Debicki's Diana sports the late royal's iconic coif, as well as a floral midi dress. Lauren Puckett-pope, ELLE, 10 Jan. 2022 From that fateful coif grew an impressive screen career, one that has positioned Ahmed as one of the industry’s most compelling, blazingly modern performers. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 20 Oct. 2021 Verb
At the wig-fitting event in Rockville on Tuesday, stylist volunteers from the Frederick and Annapolis locations of The Temple: A Paul Mitchell Partner School helped women select and coif their wigs. Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2021 From start to finish, Khoudri has had hairstylist Adir Abergel by her side to help coif her shoulder-grazing brunette bob for every occasion, each more glamorous than the next. Lauren Valent, Vogue, 19 July 2021 More specialized professions emerged, including that of the hairdresser, who would visit women in their homes to cut and coif their hair. Marc Bain, Quartz, 27 Apr. 2020 In this key moment, Emma’s humanity bleeds through her perfectly coiffed, ironed and embroidered facade. The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2020 Her blond hair coifed, she was dressed in a navy cashmere turtleneck and jeans, a baroque pearl slung from a diamond chain around her neck, and alternated between burbling conspiratorial laughter and a cleareyed appraisal of what lies ahead. New York Times, 7 Nov. 2019 Kirby, looking beautifully coiffed and made up even at her most bruised and battered, is the obvious cast standout, stealing scene after scene from Johnson and Statham in what amounts to a kind of cinematic grand larceny. Los Angeles Times, 1 Aug. 2019 Meanwhile, 14 stylists are coiffing the hordes of background players using about 50 wigs designated for extras. Meredith Blakestaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2019 Shirley, in her tank top and streaked hair, looked uneasy among the professionally dressed and well-coifed podcast hosts staffing the booths. Author: Britt Peterson, Anchorage Daily News, 31 July 2019 See More 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