coast
coast
Pronunciation
Coast: /koʊst/
Syllable 1: /koʊst/
/k/ - voiceless velar stop
/oʊ/ - diphthong (as in "boat")
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative
/t/ - voiceless alveolar stop
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: coast
Plural: coasts
Verb:
Base form: coast
Third-person singular present: coasts
Present participle: coasting
Past tense: coasted
Past participle: coasted
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Definition: The land along a sea or ocean; the seashore.
Synonyms: shoreline, seaside, beach, littoral
Antonyms: inland, interior
Definition: A sledding run, especially one that is downhill and provides a long, smooth ride.
Synonyms: slope, run, hill
Antonyms: uphill (antonym for the action of coasting, not the physical run itself)
Verb
Definition: To move easily without much effort, especially downhill or using momentum, rather than by active propulsion.
Synonyms: glide, drift, roll, cruise, freewheel
Antonyms: propel, labor, strain, push (uphill)
Definition: To proceed with minimal effort or difficulty, often after an initial period of hard work, or to rely on past achievements.
Synonyms: relax, ease up, sail through, cruise
Antonyms: strive, struggle, toil, exert
Definition: To sail along a coast, typically without venturing far out to sea.
Synonyms: hug the shore, follow the coastline
Antonyms: venture offshore, sail out to sea
Examples of Use
Books:
"They drove for hours, the Pacific coastline a blur of white-capped waves and rugged cliffs outside their window." (From Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, August 2018)
"The old fisherman knew every cove and current along the rocky coast of Maine." (From The Shipping News by Annie Proux, April 1993)
Newspapers:
"Florida's Gulf Coast braces for another hurricane season, with residents urged to finalize emergency plans." (The Tampa Bay Times)
"Economists warn that the national economy could coast through the next quarter, but challenges remain on the horizon." (The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications:
"Surfers flocked to the Mavericks break off the California coast as a massive swell rolled in." (GrindTV)
"Can the reigning champions afford to coast in the final games of the season, or do they need to maintain their intensity?" (ESPN.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "The scene shows the protagonists driving a vintage car along the winding Amalfi Coast in Italy." (From Tenet, September 2020)
Music: "I'm just gonna coast for a while, let the good times roll." (Lyrics from the song "Coast" by The Killers, August 2020)
Television Series: "Detectives investigated the mysterious disappearance of a fishing boat off the Alaskan coast." (From Deadliest Catch, Discovery Channel, April 2024)
Video Games: "Players can explore the open world, including vast stretches of coast and ocean, in 'Grand Theft Auto V'." (Rockstar Games, September 2013)
General Public Discourse:
"After that big project, I'm just going to coast for the rest of the week." (Casual conversation)
"We spent our vacation relaxing on the coast, enjoying the sea breeze." (Travel discussion)
"Don't coast through your studies; you need to put in consistent effort to succeed." (Advice from a teacher to a student)
10 Quotes Using Coast
"A ship in a harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." (Attributed to John A. Shedd, with variations commonly appearing as "A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are built for.")
"The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." (Isak Dinesen, Seven Gothic Tales, 1934)
"I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by, And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking, And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking." (John Masefield, "Sea-Fever," 1902)
"We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch it, we are going back to whence we came." (John F. Kennedy, September 14, 1962)
"A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor." (English proverb)
"You can't coast to the top." (Unknown)
"I believe that God wants us to coast into eternity, rather than crash into it." (Billy Graham)
"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." (Albert Einstein)
"Don't coast through life; make waves." (Unknown)
"The California coast is a place where you can find yourself, and lose yourself, all at the same time." (Original)
Etymology
The word "coast" comes from the Old French word "coste," which meant "rib" or "side." Imagine the "side" of a landmass next to the sea, and you can see how the meaning of "coast" as the "seashore" developed.
The first known use of "coast" in English, with the meaning of the edge of the land by the sea, dates back to the 14th century. Before that, it was also used to mean the side or border of something, not just specifically the sea.
Later, the verb form of "coast" developed, likely from the idea of sailing or moving along the "side" or edge of something without much effort, like a boat drifting along the shoreline. This led to the meaning of moving without power, like a bicycle coasting downhill, which appeared around the 17th century.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Coast
Coast is clear: An idiom meaning there's no danger or obstruction; it's safe to proceed.
Coast along/through: A phrase meaning to proceed easily without much effort, often relying on past momentum or an easy situation.
To hug the coast: A phrase meaning to stay close to the shoreline when sailing or traveling.
A free coast: An original phrase suggesting an unobstructed or easy path forward.
To coast to victory: A phrase meaning to win easily, without significant challenge in the final stages.
On the coast of something: A phrase indicating being on the edge or border of a particular state or condition.
The Golden Coast: A specific phrase referring to the California coast, known for its beaches and sunny weather.
Beyond the coast: An original phrase suggesting moving past familiar territory or boundaries.
To coast by on charm: An idiom suggesting someone succeeds due to their likeability rather than hard work or skill. (Using "coast by" with a common modifier)
The coast of dreams: An original, more poetic phrase referring to a desired future or aspiration.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of coast from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
