To coax means to gently persuade someone to do something through patience, kindness, or persistent encouragement. When you coax your nervous dog to come out from under the bed during a thunderstorm, you speak softly and maybe offer a treat, working carefully to make them feel safe enough to move. When a teacher coaxes a shy student to share their ideas in class, she creates a welcoming atmosphere and asks encouraging questions until the student feels comfortable speaking up.

Coaxing is different from ordering, demanding, or forcing. It requires patience and understanding. You might coax a little brother to try a new food he's suspicious of, or coax a stubborn jar lid to open by carefully working it back and forth. Parents often coax young children into getting ready for bed with promises of an extra story.

The word suggests a gentle, gradual approach. You can't coax someone in a hurry. When something won't budge, you might coax it along bit by bit. A mechanic might coax an old engine to start, or a gardener might coax plants to grow in difficult soil. Coaxing combines patience with optimism: you believe the person or thing will eventually respond to your gentle persistence.