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definitions

cajole

[ kuh-johl ]
/ kəˈdʒoʊl /

verb (used with or without object), ca·joled, ca·jol·ing.

to persuade by flattery or promises; wheedle; coax.

Nearby words

  1. cajal,
  2. cajal, santiago ramón y,
  3. cajan,
  4. cajeput,
  5. cajeputol,
  6. cajolery,
  7. cajun,
  8. cajuput,
  9. cake,
  10. cake eater

Origin of cajole

1635–45; < French cajoler to cajole or chatter like a jaybird, apparently derivative of *cajole birdcage (< Late Latin caveola < Latin cave(a) cage + -ola -ole1) + -er infinitive suffix
Related formsca·jole·ment, nounca·jol·er, nounca·jol·ing·ly, adverbun·ca·jol·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for cajolement

cajole

/ (kəˈdʒəʊl) /

verb

to persuade (someone) by flattery or pleasing talk to do what one wants; wheedle; coax
Derived Formscajolement, nouncajoler, nouncajolery, nouncajolingly, adverb

Word Origin for cajole

C17: from French cajoler to coax, of uncertain origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for cajolement

cajole

v.

1640s, from French cajoler "to cajole, wheedle, coax," perhaps a blend of Middle French cageoler "to chatter like a jay" (16c., from gajole, southern diminutive of geai "jay;" see jay (n.)), and Old French gaioler "to cage, entice into a cage" (see jail (n.)). Related: Cajoled; cajoling.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper