Cozy vs. Cosy
Cambridge labels “cozy” as the US spelling of “cosy”; “cosy” is the UK form for the corresponding comfortable/warm senses.
Use “cozy” in US English and “cosy” in UK English when referring to the corresponding senses.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| US English spelling | cozy | Use the US form. |
| UK English spelling | cosy | Use the UK form. |
| proper name, quotation, or house style fixes a form | preserve the required form | Do not normalize against the source or declared style. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Is the document using US English?
If yes: Use “cozy.”
If no: For UK English, use “cosy,” unless a proper name or house style requires otherwise.
Caveat: This is primarily a regional spelling difference for the corresponding senses, not a difference in meaning.
Examples
The room felt cozy on a cold evening.
The sentence uses the US spelling.
They found a cosy café near the station.
The sentence uses the UK spelling.
The US edition consistently uses “cozy.”
The choice follows the declared regional variety.
Further guidance
Core difference
This is primarily a regional spelling choice.
Fast Test
Identify the intended sense first, then apply the documented regional or domain spelling for that sense.
Variant Boundary
Specialized titles, proper names, quotations, and house style can preserve a different form.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Cozy — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Cozy entry identifying cozy as the US spelling of cosy
- Cosy — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Cosy entry identifying cosy as the UK form and cozy as the US form