coyote time

noun

A brief delay between an action and the consequences of that action that has no physical cause and exists only for comedic or gameplay purposes.

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Meanings

nouncoyote time (uncountable)
  1. uncountableanimationvideo gamesA brief delay between an action and the consequences of that action that has no physical cause and exists only for comedic or gameplay purposes.
    1. specificallyuncountableanimationvideo gamesA brief period after walking off a ledge or platform during which a character is still able to jump.

Origin

Named after the animation style of Wile E. Coyote who would frequently float in air for a few seconds after running off of a cliff.

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Cite this entry
APA

coyote time. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/coyote%20time

MLA

“coyote time.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/coyote%20time. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “coyote time,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/coyote%20time.

Source: coyote time on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.