Word
coax
/ˈkoʊks/
Definition
v. to gently and patiently persuade someone to do something they are unsure about.
v. to persuade someone gradually and gently to do something, often through flattery, patience, or soothing words; also to obtain something by such means.
Examples
“She tried to coax the cat out from under the bed.”
“After a lot of patience, he managed to coax a smile from the nervous child.”
“The negotiator spent hours coaxing the reluctant witness into describing what she had seen that night.”
Examples
simple
“She tried to coax the cat out from under the bed.”
contextual
“After a lot of patience, he managed to coax a smile from the nervous child.”
complex
“The negotiator spent hours coaxing the reluctant witness into describing what she had seen that night.”
Real-World Examples
“Instead, he found his friends gathered around his mother, who was making her way towards him, gently coaxing the farm animal behind her.” “But while the Dutchman cannot escape blame for last season, an equally valid interpretation might be that Slot coaxed an ageing team to an unexpected league title.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/coax