How to pronounce coax
Say it like KOHKS. Coax is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce coax. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOHKS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Coax pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KOHKSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of coax
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: KOHKS.
What does coax mean?
- To wheedle or persuade (a person, organization, animal etc.) gradually or by use of flattery to do something.“He coaxed the horse gently into the trailer.”
- To carefully manipulate (someone or something) into a particular desired state, situation or position.“They coaxed the rope through the pipe.”
Where does coax come from?
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”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with coax
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of coax.
Questions about saying coax
How do you pronounce coax?
Say KOHKS. The American pronunciation is /koʊks/. In British English it is /kəʊks/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in coax?
Coax is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: KOHKS.
Is coax pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /kəʊks/ (KOHKS).