What does cajole mean?
Word: Cajole
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Cajole means to get someone to do something by saying nice things to them.
Synonyms: wheedle
How do you spell cajole?
Syllables: ca - jole
Tricky part: The sound in the middle could be spelt with a g, as in cage, and pupils often do that. It is a j.
Watch out for: cagole, cageole
Memory tip: Sweet talk of this kind is jolly talk, and jolly gives you the j.
Cajole in a sentence
Example 1: Riya cajoled her brother into lending her his cricket bat.
Example 2: We cajoled Grandma into making her famous coconut biscuits.
Example 3: No amount of cajoling would get the puppy into the bath.
Fun Fact
Cajole came into English from French in the 1600s, and French speakers still use the verb cajoler today.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. heirarchy 2. aquiesce 3. ambidextorous 4. cajole
a) a system of ranks from top to bottom
b) able to use both hands equally well
c) to agree quietly without arguing
d) to win someone over with sweet talk
Show answer
d) to win someone over with sweet talk. Acquiesce needs a c before the q, ambidextrous has no o in its ending, and hierarchy opens hie.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word cajole as used in the sentence:
My sister tried to cajole our aunt into one more story before bedtime.
a) coax
b) thank
c) follow
d) scold
Show answer
a) coax. To coax is to use gentle words to get someone to agree.
Mingle-Mangle
The sentence hides a jumbled word. Choose the word:
It took twenty minutes to oajecl my little cousin into eating her spinach.
a) cajole
b) cackle
c) compel
d) console
Show answer
a) cajole. These letters hold a j, and cajole alone has one.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
cajolle
a) j
b) l
c) o
d) c
Show answer
b) l. A single l is correct, even though jolly has two.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Find the line that shows cajoling.
a) "I do not need your help, so please do not bother."
b) "The teacher says that all of us must do it by Friday."
c) "You are so good at maths, please help me just this once."
d) "Do this homework at once or you will miss the match."
Show answer
c) "You are so good at maths, please help me just this once."
2. A child who cajoles a parent is relying mainly on
a) silence
b) orders
c) charm
d) tears
Show answer
c) charm
