coast
kohst
Coast (noun) means the land bordering the sea. Example: “The coast road is lovely in summer, with views of the water all the way.”
noun
1
The land bordering the sea.
"The coast road is lovely in summer, with views of the water all the way."
"Fog drifted in and hid the whole coast from view."
"They rented a cottage along the coast."
verb
1
To move forward without applying power, relying on existing momentum.
"The cyclist stopped pedalling and coasted down the long hill into the village."
"Once the boat reached the harbour, it coasted gently up to the dock."
"The car coasted downhill with the engine off."
2
To achieve something with minimal effort.
"After a strong start, she coasted through the rest of the term."
"You can't just coast in this job; the work needs real attention."
"He coasted through the exam without much studying."
How to use coast
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe land next to the sea; also, to glide along using no extra effort or power.
Common pairings
along the coast
coast to a win
coast downhill
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Word forms
- Plural
- coasts
- Third person singular
- coasts
- Past tense
- coasted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ road is lovely in summer, with views of the water all the way.
Etymology
From Old French coste, "rib, side, coast", from Latin costa, "rib" — the coast was seen as the "side" or "edge" of the land.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for coast
See all rhymes for 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.
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