‘Cosy’ and ‘cozy’ are two spellings of the same adjective, which is used to describe something that gives a feeling of warmth and comfort. But does it matter whether you write about a ‘cosy log cabin’ or a ‘cozy log cabin’?
In this post, we explain the difference between these two spellings.
British English vs. American English
‘Cosy’ is the preferred spelling in British English, while ‘cozy’ is used in American English. Which spelling to use, therefore, depends on which dialect you are using:
British English: The cat slept in its cosy basket.
American English: The cat slept in its cozy basket.
You can also use ‘cosy’ or ‘cozy’ as a noun. In this case, it refers to a soft covering used to keep something warm (usually a teapot or a boiled egg):
British English: You should use a cosy if you want your tea to stay hot.
American English: You should use a cozy if you want your tea to stay hot.
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Australian English usually follows the conventions of British English, and therefore ‘cosy’ is correct if you are writing for an Australian audience.
Derivatives of Cosy and Cozy
The spellings above extend to any words derived from ‘cosy’ and ‘cozy’:
This is much cosier / cozier than the last hotel I stayed in.
It was the cosiest / coziest blanket I’d ever had.
If you boil six eggs, you’ll need six egg cosies / cozies.
As such, you should use an ‘s’ in these words if you’re using British (or Australian) English, and you should use a ‘z’ if you are using American English.
Summary: Cosy or Cozy?
The spelling of this word depends on the dialect you are using:
- Cosy is correct in British and Australian English.
- Cozy is correct in American English.
We hope this post has clarified which spelling to use in your writing. If you’d like an expert to check for other mistakes in your documents, our proofreaders are available around the clock. Why not send us 500 words to proofread for free?