coast

The land beside the sea.

• We live near the coast.
• They drove along the coast.
• Several small islands lie off the coast.

Similar words: seashore, shore, coastline

Common phrases: east coast, along the coast, off the coast, coast road

If the coast is clear, nobody is nearby to see you or stop what you want to do.

• The coast is clear now.
• Check whether the coast is clear.
• Once the coast was clear, she slipped out.

How to use it: the coast is clear (We waited until the coast was clear before leaving.)

Common phrases: coast is clear, coast was clear

To keep moving without using the engine or making another effort to push forward.

• Let the bike coast downhill.
• The car coasted along the empty road.
• We stopped pedalling and coasted down the slope.

How to use it: coast to a stop (The bicycle coasted to a stop beside the gate.)

Similar words: glide, roll

Common phrases: coast downhill, coast along, coast to a stop

To travel by boat along the land beside the sea.

• The boat coasted northward.
• We coasted along the shore all morning.
• The captain preferred to coast rather than cross the open sea.

How to use it: coast along something (The small ship coasted along the island's eastern shore.)

Common phrases: coast along, coast northward, coast southward