What does coalesce mean?
Word: Coalesce
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Coalesce means to join together and form one larger group or whole.
Synonyms: merge, unite, combine
Antonyms: separate
Word origin: Comes from Latin coalescere, from co- and alescere.
How do you spell coalesce?
Syllables: co - a - lesce
Tricky part: The soft sound near the end needs an s and a c side by side, followed by a silent e. Many pupils write only the s.
Watch out for: coalese, coalesse
Memory tip: The word means joining, and it shows you how: s and c join near the end to make one soft sound.
Coalesce in a sentence
Example 1: Over the term, the three reading clubs began to coalesce into one large society.
Example 2: The new players took weeks to coalesce into a real team.
Example 3: Small streams coalesce on the hillside and form the river we see in the valley.
Fun Fact
Coalition, the word for parties that join hands to form a government, comes from the same Latin verb.
Practise the CREST Way
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
aeclocse
a) to give in without a protest
b) to blend into a single mass
c) to shine with a gentle glow
d) to talk fondly of old times
Show answer
b) to blend into a single mass. Sort the letters and you reach the verb for things merging into one.
Sound Check
Which word does not rhyme with coalesce?
a) possess
b) success
c) release
d) confess
Show answer
c) release. Release ends with the long ee sound of peace; the other three end like yes.
Back to the Roots
Choose the correct option:
Coalesce comes from Latin, and part of it is alescere. What did alescere mean?
a) to burn
b) to grow up
c) to fall
d) to sing
Show answer
b) to grow up. Things that coalesce grow together, which is the sense of the Latin.
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) coalesce
b) crescendo
c) aquiesce
d) reminisce
Show answer
c) aquiesce. Acquiesce needs a c before the q.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Several small ideas coalesce in Zoya's notebook. What is she left with?
a) a list of unrelated jokes
b) a blank page and no plan
c) many plans that all disagree
d) one clear plan for her project
Show answer
d) one clear plan for her project
2. Which scene best shows raindrops coalescing?
a) Drops bounce off a window and land on the sill.
b) Tiny drops on a window run into one big drop.
c) Drops fall past a window in a straight line.
d) Drops dry off a window once the sun comes out.
Show answer
b) Tiny drops on a window run into one big drop.
