coax

Everyday

1. To persuade someone gently and patiently to do something. tree →
2. To get something to work or move by careful, gentle effort: «coax the fire into life». tree →
3. (technical, noun) A short form of «coaxial cable», a TV or aerial cable. tree →

In the lessons

Common in stories and everyday life: coaxing a shy cat out from under a bed, coaxing a younger child to eat vegetables. It shows kind, patient persuasion rather than force. Phrases: «coax out», «coax into», «coax a smile».

Examples

• She coaxed the kitten out from under the sofa with some milk. tree →
• Dad coaxed the old car into starting. tree →
• We coaxed my little brother into trying the broccoli. tree →
• The Rat coaxed the Mole back to sleep. tree →
• He coaxed a smile from the crying baby. tree →
• Gran coaxed the fire back into life with dry sticks. tree →
• The TV aerial is joined with a coax cable. tree →
• So she tried to coax the boy into going at once to bed: tree →

Note

Pronounced KOHKS, one syllable. Coax is gentle; «force» or «make» is not. Similar: persuade, sweet-talk, encourage.