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coach

n. · v. · adv.
US //ˈkoʊtʃ// UK //kˈəʊtʃ// coach
  1. 1 sports/skills trainer (n.)
    A2 Elementary Sport

    a person who trains a person or a team in a sport or a specific skill.

    an individual who provides instruction, strategy, and training to athletes or students.

    Example

    The football coach shouted instructions from the side of the field.

    Example

    After the disappointing loss, the head coach spent hours reviewing game footage to identify defensive lapses.
  2. 2 long-distance bus (n.)
    B1 Intermediate British English

    a large, comfortable bus used for long journeys between cities.

    a large motor vehicle used for long-distance transport, typically offering more comfort than a standard city bus.

    Example

    We took a coach from London to Edinburgh because it was cheaper than the train.

    Example

    The tour operator arranged a luxury coach equipped with reclining seats and climate control for the week-long excursion through the Alps.

    Teacher's tip

    In British English, 'coach' is the standard term for intercity travel, whereas 'bus' usually refers to local city transport.
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  1. 3 economy class (n.)
    B1 Intermediate American English

    the cheapest seats on a plane or train.

    the standard or economy class of accommodation on a commercial aircraft or passenger train.

    Example

    I usually fly coach to save money on my business trips.

    Example

    Due to the last-minute booking, only a few seats in coach remained available, all of which were located in the very back of the aircraft.

    Usage

    Often used as a modifier before another noun, as in 'coach class' or 'coach seats'.
    • first class
    • business class
  2. 4 to train or teach (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to give someone extra help or training to improve a skill.

    to act as a trainer or tutor; to provide intensive instruction or direction.

    Example

    She coaches young children in swimming every Saturday morning.

    Example

    He was hired to coach the executive team in public speaking ahead of the international conference.

    Usage

    Can be used transitively (coach someone) or intransitively (to coach).
  3. 5 traveling in economy (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English

    traveling using the cheapest type of ticket.

    traveling in the economy or standard section of a commercial transport vehicle.

    Example

    The company policy requires all employees to fly coach for domestic flights.

    Example

    Even though he had the funds to upgrade, he preferred to travel coach and spend his budget on better hotels instead.

    Usage

    Typically follows verbs of travel like 'fly' or 'travel'.
Origin

Borrowed from Middle French coche, from German Kutsche, from Hungarian kocsi. According to historians, the coach was named after the small Hungarian town of Kocs, which made a livelihood from cart building and transport between Vienna and Budapest. The meaning “instructor/trainer” is from Oxford University slang (c. 1830) for a “tutor” who “carries” one through an exam; the athletic sense is from 1861.

Idioms2 entries

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