coast
11 synonyms and 0 antonyms for coast, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The land bordering the sea.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use coast
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French coste, "rib, side, coast", from Latin costa, "rib" — the coast was seen as the "side" or "edge" of the land.
Full origin of coast →Frequently asked questions
What does “coast” mean?
The word “coast” means the land bordering the sea. In plain terms, the land next to the sea; also, to glide along using no extra effort or power.
How do you pronounce “coast”?
“Coast” is pronounced kohst (/koʊst/ in IPA).
How do you use “coast” in a sentence?
Here is “coast” used in a sentence: “They rented a cottage along the coast.”
What part of speech is “coast”?
Depending on how it is used, “coast” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “coast” come from?
The word “coast” comes from Latin. From Old French coste, "rib, side, coast", from Latin costa, "rib" — the coast was seen as the "side" or "edge" of the land.
Is “coast” a common word?
“Coast” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “coast” have?
“Coast” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the land bordering the sea.
What is the difference between the coast and the shore?
The coast is the broad zone of land that borders the sea, often used for whole regions — 'the west coast.' The shore is the narrower strip right where land meets water, and it applies to lakes and rivers too, not just the sea. Coast is bigger; shore is the edge itself.
What is the difference between the coast and the beach?
The coast is the general stretch of land beside the sea, which can include cliffs, towns, and harbors. A beach is one specific feature found along it — the flat area of sand or pebbles at the water's edge. Every beach is on a coast, but a coast is much more than beaches.
What is an example of a coast?
Well-known coasts include the West Coast of the United States, the Amalfi Coast in Italy, and the rugged Atlantic coast of Ireland. The word can name a short local stretch of seaside or an entire national shoreline running for thousands of miles.