coax

¹ American  

[kohks] / koʊks /

verb (used with object)

1. to influence or persuade to do something by gentle urging, smooth talk, flattery, etc..

   He tried to coax her to sing, but she refused.

2. to obtain by coaxing.

   We coaxed the secret from him.

3. to manipulate to a desired end by adroit handling or persistent effort.

   He coaxed the large chair through the door.

4. Obsolete.

   1. to fondle.

   2. to fool; deceive.

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verb (used without object)

1. to use gentle persuasion.

coax ² American  

[koh-aks, koh-aks] / koʊˈæks, ˈkoʊ æks /

noun

Electricity.

1. coaxial cable.

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coax ¹ British  

/ kəʊks /

verb

1. to seek to manipulate or persuade (someone) by tenderness, flattery, pleading, etc

2. (tr) to obtain by persistent coaxing

3. (tr) to work on or tend (something) carefully and patiently so as to make it function as one desires

   he coaxed the engine into starting

4. obsolete (tr) to caress

5. obsolete (tr) to deceive

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coax ² British  

/ ˈkəʊæks /

noun

1. short for coaxial cable

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Other Word Forms

• coaxer noun
• coaxingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of coax¹

First recorded in 1580–90; verb use of obsolete cokes “fool,” perhaps variant of coxcomb ( def. )

Origin of coax²

First recorded in 1945–50; by shortening

Example Sentences

His arm wraps over my shoulder, coaxing me to lean into the solid comfort of his chest.

From Literature

In an instant, the man was at her side, coaxing her back to the car.

From Literature

It would take more than the promise of student housing and a college meal plan to coax them across the Atlantic.

From The Wall Street Journal

And to read that structure, the painting coaxes you to decide from what perspective you are viewing the scene.

From The Wall Street Journal

But with the right tools, we can coax it to open just enough to align incentives, discourage harm and reward truth.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cajole
• entice
• induce
• tease
• tempt
• wheedle