coax

UK: /ˈkəʊks/ US: /koʊks/ ,(v. kōks; n. kō aks′, kō′aks)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

coax¹ /koʊks/   v. 

1. to attempt to influence by gentle persuasion, etc.;
   persuade: [~ + object + to + verb]
   Maybe you can coax her to sing.
   [~ + object + into + verb-ing]
   See if you can coax them into giving us the recipe.
   [used with quotations]
   "Come on,'' he coaxed,"you can do it.''
2. to obtain or get (something) by coaxing:
   [~ + object + from + object] to coax a secret from someone.
3. [~ + object] to maneuver into a desired position by careful handling:
   He coaxed the large chair through the tiny door.

coax•er, n. [countable]
coax•ing•ly, adv.: 

He spoke coaxingly to the cat.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

coax¹  (kōks), v.t. 

1. to attempt to influence by gentle persuasion, flattery, etc.;
   cajole:
   He coaxed her to sing, but she refused.
2. to obtain by coaxing:
   We coaxed the secret from him.
3. to manipulate to a desired end by adroit handling or persistent effort:
   He coaxed the large chair through the door.
4. [Obs.]
   • to fondle.
   • to fool;
     deceive.

v.i. 

5. to use gentle persuasion.

• verb, verbal use of cokes fool (now obsolete), perh. variant of coxcomb 1580–90

coax′er, n. 
coax′ing•ly, adv. 

co•ax²  (kō aks′, kō′aks), n. [Elect.]

1. Electricity See coaxial cable. 

• by shortening 1945–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

coax / kəʊks/ verb

1. to seek to manipulate or persuade (someone) by tenderness, flattery, pleading, etc
2. (transitive) to obtain by persistent coaxing
3. (transitive) to work on or tend (something) carefully and patiently so as to make it function as one desires: he coaxed the engine into starting

Etymology: 16th Century: verb formed from obsolete noun cokes fool, of unknown origin

ˈcoaxer noun

coax / ˈkəʊæks/ noun

1. short for coaxial cable