coax

C2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /koʊks/ UK /kəʊks/ See IPA manual

Freq #26414

Meanings

1

verb
To gently persuade someone to do something, often with kind or flattering words.

She managed to coax the frightened cat out from under the bed.
2

verb
To carefully move or work something into a desired position or state.

He slowly coaxed the rope through the narrow pipe.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to gently persuade someone... cajole wheedle persuadesweet-talk

2 verb · to carefully move or work... ease

More blandanderblandish canoodlecarnycolloguecroodleenglefast-talkfleechhumingle

Word family

Forms coaxedcoaxescoaxing

Derived forms coaxablecoaxercoaxy

Etymology

Originally (1586) in the slang phrase to make a coax of, from earlier noun coax, cox, cokes "fool, simpleton", itself of obscure origin, perhaps related to cock (“male bird, pert boy”). The modern spelling is from 1706.

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# coax

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /koʊks/
**IPA (UK):** /kəʊks/
**Frequency rank:** 26414

## Meanings
1. To gently persuade someone to do something, often with kind or flattering words.
2. To carefully move or work something into a desired position or state.

## Examples
- She managed to coax the frightened cat out from under the bed.
- He slowly coaxed the rope through the narrow pipe.

## Synonyms
- blandander
- blandish
- cajole
- canoodle
- carny
- collogue
- croodle
- engle
- fast-talk
- fleech
- hum
- ingle

## Derived Forms
- coaxable
- coaxer
- coaxy

## Etymology
Originally (1586) in the slang phrase to make a coax of, from earlier noun coax, cox, cokes "fool, simpleton", itself of obscure origin, perhaps related to cock (“male bird, pert boy”). The modern spelling is from 1706.

## AI Etymology
Coax originally (1586) in the slang phrase to make a coax of, from earlier noun coax, cox, cokes "fool, simpleton", itself of obscure origin, perhaps related to cock (“male bird, pert boy”). The modern spelling is from 1706. Current senses include to gently persuade someone to do something, often with kind or flattering words and to carefully move or work something into a desired position or state. The wider family includes derived forms such as coaxable, coaxer, and coaxy.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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