coach
kohch
Coach (noun) means a person who trains and instructs athletes or performers. Example: “Our swimming coach shouts encouragement from the side of the pool every morning.”
noun
1
A person who trains and instructs athletes or performers.
"Our swimming coach shouts encouragement from the side of the pool every morning."
"The choir has a coach who helps each singer improve their breathing."
"The team hired a new coach after their losing season."
2
A comfortable, often long-distance bus.
"The school trip left by coach at eight and arrived by lunchtime."
"A comfortable coach picked us up outside the hotel and drove us to the coast."
"They took a coach from London to Edinburgh."
3
The economy section of a train or airplane.
"I was squeezed into coach for the whole ten-hour flight."
"Tickets in coach are cheaper, but the seats have much less legroom."
"They flew coach to save money on the flight."
verb
1
To train or instruct someone, especially in a skill or sport.
"My uncle coaches young footballers at the local club every Tuesday evening."
"She was hired to coach the actors on how to speak with an accent."
"She coaches the junior swim team on weekends."
How to use coach
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who trains people (in sport or otherwise), a long-distance bus, or the economy section of a plane or train.
Common pairings
sports coach
coach class
life coach
coach someone through
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Word forms
- Plural
- coaches
- Third person singular
- coaches
- Past tense
- coached
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Our swimming _____ shouts encouragement from the side of the pool every morning.
Etymology
From the Hungarian town of Kocs, famous for building horse-drawn carriages; the word passed through German and French before reaching English. The "trainer" sense began as 19th-century Oxford student slang for a tutor who "carries" you through an exam.
Class of 1800
coach joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for coach
See all rhymes for coach →Frequently asked questions
What does “coach” mean?
The word “coach” means a person who trains and instructs athletes or performers. In plain terms, someone who trains people (in sport or otherwise), a long-distance bus, or the economy section of a plane or train.
How do you pronounce “coach”?
“Coach” is pronounced kohch (/koʊt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “coach” in a sentence?
Here is “coach” used in a sentence: “The team hired a new coach after their losing season.”
What part of speech is “coach”?
Depending on how it is used, “coach” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “coach” come from?
The word “coach” dates back to around 1800 and comes from French.
Is “coach” a common word?
“Coach” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “coach” have?
“Coach” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who trains and instructs athletes or performers.
What is the difference between a coach and a trainer?
A coach guides overall development: strategy, technique, mindset, and long-term improvement, often across a whole season or career. A trainer usually focuses on physical conditioning and specific skills, getting the body ready to perform. In practice the roles overlap, but a coach tends to lead, while a trainer prepares.
What is the difference between a coach and a mentor?
A coach actively trains and instructs, working on specific skills and performance, often with set goals and sessions. A mentor offers broader guidance from experience, sharing advice and perspective over time, usually more informally. A coach improves how you perform; a mentor helps shape the wider direction you take.
What does a coach do?
A coach trains and instructs athletes or performers, teaching technique, planning practice, and correcting mistakes. They set goals, build fitness and confidence, devise tactics, and offer motivation and feedback. Beyond sport, coaches also guide singers, actors, and public speakers, anyone working to master a skill and perform at their best.
What are the types of coaches?
In sport there are head coaches, who lead the whole programme, and assistant or specialist coaches for particular areas. Beyond the field, the word covers vocal and acting coaches, life coaches, and business or executive coaches. What they share is the job of training others to improve and perform well.
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