# Coates

/ˈkoʊˈeɪts/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/coates
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

the third-person form of 'coat'. You use it when someone or something covers a surface with a thin layer of a substance.

For teachers: the third-person singular present indicative of 'coat'. Refers to the action of applying a thin layer or covering of a substance to a surface.

## Examples

- The chef coats the chicken in flour before frying it.
- The technician coats the glass with a special chemical to prevent it from fogging up in the cold.
- In the final stage of production, a specialized machine coats the tablets with a sugar-based film to mask their bitter taste and facilitate easier swallowing.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The snow coats on the trees" but "The snow coats the trees" — Coat is a transitive verb; it should not be followed by a preposition like 'on' when describing the surface being covered.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and requires a direct object representing the surface being covered.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.