coach
coach — noun
1. a person who works with individual learners or small classes to help them develo
a person who works with individual learners or small classes to help them develop skills in a sport, a school subject, or a performing art through personal lessons and guidance
Aiko hired a voice coach to help her prepare for the choir audition.
noun + to-infinitive: hired a coach to help
The swim coach taught Priya how to breathe correctly during each stroke.
Before the final match, the basketball coach went over the key plays with the team.
Leila's maths coach helped her understand algebra by using real-life examples.
- trainer
focuses more on physical fitness and exercise than skill development
- instructor
more formal; used for driving, swimming, or academic courses
- tutor
specifically for private academic lessons, not sports
用法筆記
This sense can refer to both sports training and academic tutoring. For sports-team management, see sense 2 (SPORTS COACH).
常見錯誤
2. a person who works with a sports team to train the players, choose the best line
a person who works with a sports team to train the players, choose the best lineup, and plan match strategies
The football coach decided to change the team's formation at half-time.
After three losses in a row, the club fired their head coach.
collocation: head coach / assistant coach
Coach Watanabe told the players to arrive twenty minutes early for practice.
Rohan's dream is to become a professional tennis coach one day.
用法筆記
When used before a name, this sense acts as a title: Coach Watanabe, Coach Garcia. No article is needed.
常見錯誤
3. a large vehicle with padded seats that takes people on lengthy road trips, usual
a large vehicle with padded seats that takes people on lengthy road trips, usually costing less than a train or plane ticket
The tour group travelled from London to Edinburgh by coach.
preposition: by coach
A coach picked up the students from the school gate at six in the morning.
The coach driver stopped at a service station so everyone could buy snacks.
The wedding party booked a private coach to take the guests to the venue.
用法筆記
Common in British English. In American English, bus or long-distance bus is more typical. Also called a motor coach in formal contexts.
常見錯誤
4. a traditional four-wheeled carriage drawn by horses, still seen today at formal
a traditional four-wheeled carriage drawn by horses, still seen today at formal ceremonies or in historical exhibitions
The bride and groom arrived at the church in a white horse-drawn coach.
collocation: horse-drawn coach
Tourists in Vienna can ride through the city in an old-fashioned coach pulled by horses.
The museum displayed a golden royal coach that had been used in the Queen's coronation.
During the parade, a black coach carrying the mayor rolled slowly through the town square.
- carriage
a more general term for any horse-drawn passenger vehicle
- stagecoach
a specific type used historically for long-distance travel with regular stops
5. one of the separate sections of a train where passengers sit, each connected to
one of the separate sections of a train where passengers sit, each connected to the next by doors
The train had eight coaches, but only three were for first-class passengers.
Amara found a seat in the quiet coach near the front of the train.
collocation: quiet coach / dining coach
Each coach on the high-speed train had a luggage rack above the seats.
The buffet coach serves hot drinks and sandwiches throughout the journey.
用法筆記
Standard term in British English. In American English, car or railroad car is more common. Do not confuse with engine, which pulls the coaches.
6. the cheapest class of seating on an aeroplane or train, with basic services and
the cheapest class of seating on an aeroplane or train, with basic services and less space than first class
We flew coach to Tokyo so we could save money on the trip.
verb + coach: fly coach
Coach seats on this airline are comfortable and have decent leg room.
Bao always books a coach-class ticket when he travels alone for work.
The upgrade from coach to business class cost an extra two hundred dollars.
- economy class
the more formal term; 'coach' is more informal in this sense
- standard class
used on trains to mean the same as 'coach'
- first class
the most expensive seating class with premium services
- business class
a mid-level class with better seats and service than coach
用法筆記
In this sense coach is an uncountable noun: We flew coach (no article). Can also appear as coach class. In American English, economy class is the more common term.
coach — verb
1. to teach and guide an individual or several learners in a sport, an academic sub
to teach and guide an individual or several learners in a sport, an academic subject, or a performing art through lessons and regular practice
Kofi coaches the local children's swimming team every Saturday morning.
transitive: coach + [team/individual]
The university hired a retired tennis player to coach their top students.
Yara's father coached her in maths every evening before the final exam.
Ines has been coaching young singers at the music school for five years.
Diego coaches part-time at a local gym to earn extra money.
文法句型
coach + object
coach + object + in + skill
coach + object + for + event
用法筆記
Can be used with or without an object. When used intransitively, the context usually makes the type of coaching clear (e.g., 'She coaches at the community centre').
常見錯誤
2. to train and manage a sports team, including planning strategies and deciding wh
to train and manage a sports team, including planning strategies and deciding which players will play in each game
Hana has coached the university volleyball team for six seasons.
The manager decided to coach the junior team himself this year.
pattern: coach + [team name/type]
Tomás hopes to coach a professional basketball team in the future.
The club is looking for someone to coach their under-eighteen squad.
文法句型
coach + [sports team]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (INDIVIDUAL TRAINING): this sense focuses on managing a team's strategy and lineup, while sense 1 focuses on developing an individual's skills. The object of this sense is always a team or group.
3. to prepare someone for a specific situation by telling them exactly what to say
to prepare someone for a specific situation by telling them exactly what to say and helping them practise saying it, so they feel confident and ready
The lawyer coached the witness on how to answer questions in court.
pattern: coach + person + on + how to
Before the press conference, the manager coached Leila on what to say to reporters.
The teacher coached the students through their speeches one by one.
Nadia's aunt coached her for the job interview over the weekend.
文法句型
coach + person + on + topic
coach + person + through + process
用法筆記
This sense sometimes has a slightly negative connotation when the coaching involves telling someone what to say to deceive others. The neutral meaning is simply helping someone prepare.