English Explanatory Dictionary

coax

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To fondle, kid, pet, tease.
  2. To wheedle or persuade (a person, organisation, animal etc.) gradually or by use of flattery to do something.
  3. To carefully manipulate (someone or something) into a particular desired state, situation or position.
noun
  1. A simpleton; a dupe.
noun
  1. Clipping of coaxial cable.
adj
  1. Clipping of coaxial.

Pronunciation

/kəʊks/ kōks /koʊks/ en-us-coax-verb.ogg /ˈkəʊæks/ kōʹăks /koʊæks/ en-us-coax-noun.ogg

Word forms

coax coaxes coaxing coaxed

Etymology

Originally (1586) in the slang phrase to make a coax of, from earlier noun coax, cox, cokes "fool, simpleton", itself of obscure origin, perhaps related to cock (“male bird, pert boy”). The modern spelling is from 1706.

Synonyms

blandander blandish butter up cajole fast-talk canoodle carny coax collogue croodle engle fleech honey around honey up hum ingle inveigle soap soft-sawder soft-soap stroke sweet-talk tweedle twist wheedle whilly word caress grope touch up chuckle cosset dally dandle dawt faddle feel up fond fondle grabble nantle pet pettle shift smuggle tiddle worship persuade tease trap ease surprise coax cable

Derived words

coaxable coaxer coaxy
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