Definition

1. Noun:

   • The shore of a sea or ocean: The land next to or near the sea.
   • A slope down which one can slide: An incline, often used for sledding or coasting.
   • The act of moving smoothly along a surface without power: The movement itself, such as on a sled, bicycle, or vehicle, using momentum or gravity.

2. Verb:

   • To move effortlessly using existing momentum: To continue moving, especially downhill, without applying power or effort, as in a vehicle or on a bicycle.
   • To sail along or near a coast: (Less common) To travel by sea following the shoreline.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • We spent our vacation on the rocky coast of Maine. (Refers to the shoreline.)
  • The children built a snow coast for their sleds. (Refers to a slope for sledding.)
  • After the engine failed, the plane began its long coast toward the landing strip. (Refers to the act of gliding without power.)

• Verb:

  • Once you reach the top of the hill, you can just coast down on your bike. (To move downhill without pedaling.)
  • The car coasted to a stop after it ran out of gas. (To move forward using remaining momentum.)
  • The ship coasted along the southern shore. (To sail near the coast.)

Advanced Usage

• "The coast is clear" (Idiom): A phrase meaning there is no danger of being seen or caught; the way is safe.

  • We waited until the coast was clear before leaving our hiding spot.

• "To coast through something" (Phrasal Verb): To succeed at something with minimal effort.

  • He didn't study much; he just coasted through the exam.

Variants and Related Words

• Coastal (Adjective): Relating to or located on a coast.
  • Coastal erosion is a serious problem.
• Coaster (Noun):
  • A small mat placed under a glass.
  • A ship that sails along a coast.
  • One who or that which coasts (e.g., a sled).
• Coastline (Noun): The outline or shape of a coast.
  • The country has a very rugged coastline.

Synonyms

• Noun (Shore): Shoreline, seashore, seaboard, littoral.
• Verb (Glide): Glide, slide, drift, freewheel.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Coast along: To proceed without much effort or difficulty.
  • She's just coasting along in her job, not seeking any promotion.
• Coast in (to something): To arrive or finish effortlessly.
  • The leading runner coasted in to win the race.

Related Idioms

• "Coast-to-coast": Extending from one coast of a country to the other, especially across the United States.
  • They took a coast-to-coast road trip.

Noun

1. the act of moving smoothly along a surface while remaining in contact with it
   • his slide didn't stop until the bottom of the hill
   • the children lined up for a coast down the snowy slope
2. the area within view
   • the coast is clear
3. a slope down which sleds may coast
   • when it snowed they made a coast on the golf course
4. the shore of a sea or ocean

Verb

1. move effortlessly; by force of gravity