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YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

cajole

Verb

IPA /kəˈdʒəʊl/

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UNDERSTAND THE WORD

Meaning in plain English

To persuade someone to do something by being friendly, flattering or gently persistent.

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Pronunciation

cajole/kəˈdʒəʊl/

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  1. A friend is reluctant to join a photo

  2. You encourage them with friendly persuasion

  3. They finally agree to take part

To cajole someone is to win them over through charm or gentle persistence.

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Examples in context

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  1. She cajoled her brother into joining the family photograph.
  2. We cajoled a colleague into giving the opening presentation.

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To persuade someone to do something by being friendly, flattering or gently persistent.
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cajole — To persuade someone to do something by being friendly, flattering or gently persistent.

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To persuade someone to do something by being friendly, flattering or gently persistent.

Compare: She cajoled her brother into joining the family photograph.

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Word origin

Borrowed from French cajoler in the seventeenth century.

Did you know?

The pattern cajole someone into doing something makes the action clear.

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cajole

/kəˈdʒəʊl/ (Verb)

“Cajole often suggests persuasion that takes time or charm. Use into followed by an -ing form.”

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