verb
C2
Proficient
coax
kohks
Coax (verb) means to gently persuade someone to do something through patience or flattery. Example: “She coaxed the frightened cat out from under the bed.”
verb
1
To gently persuade someone to do something through patience or flattery.
"She coaxed the frightened cat out from under the bed."
"It took a while to coax him into trying the new food."
How to use coax
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo persuade someone gently and patiently, often using kindness or flattery rather than force.
Common pairings
coax someone into
coax out
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Word forms
- Plural
- coaxes
- Third person singular
- coaxes
- Past tense
- coaxed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ the frightened cat out from under the bed.
Etymology
Originally from a 16th-century slang phrase meaning "to make a fool of", from an old noun "coax" meaning a simpleton — the meaning shifted over time to "gently persuade".
Class of 1500
coax joined the language around 1500.
See the full Class of 1500 →
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for coax
See all rhymes for coax →Frequently asked questions
What does “coax” mean?
The word “coax” means to gently persuade someone to do something through patience or flattery. In plain terms, to persuade someone gently and patiently, often using kindness or flattery rather than force.
How do you pronounce “coax”?
“Coax” is pronounced kohks (/koʊks/ in IPA).
How do you use “coax” in a sentence?
Here is “coax” used in a sentence: “She coaxed the frightened cat out from under the bed.”
What is another word for “coax”?
Words with a similar meaning to “coax” include blandander, blandish, butter up, cajole, fast-talk and canoodle.
What part of speech is “coax”?
“Coax” is a verb.
Where does the word “coax” come from?
The word “coax” dates back to around 1500. Originally from a 16th-century slang phrase meaning "to make a fool of", from an old noun "coax" meaning a simpleton — the meaning shifted over time to "gently persuade".
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