How Do You Spell COUGH?

Pronunciation: [kˈɒf] (IPA)

The word "cough" is spelled with the combination of letters "c-o-u-g-h" in English. The IPA phonetic transcription for "cough" is /kɒf/. This word is pronounced with the voiceless velar plosive "k" sound followed by "ɒ" sound, which represents a low back rounded vowel. Finally, the word is ended with the voiceless labiodental fricative "f" sound. Although the spelling of "cough" may seem confusing, the phonetic transcription helps to clarify the correct pronunciation of this word.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Plural
Conjugate verb
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COUGH Meaning and Definition

  1. Cough is a verb used to describe the act of forcefully expelling air from the lungs through the mouth, often accompanied by a distinctive sound. It is a natural reflex and is typically a response to irritation or congestion in the respiratory system. Coughing can be voluntary or involuntary, depending on the situation.

    There are various types of cough, each with its own characteristics and causes. A dry cough is one that is unproductive and does not produce any phlegm or mucus. It is commonly associated with viral infections, allergies, or irritants such as smoke or dust. On the other hand, a productive cough is one that brings up mucus or phlegm from the lungs, which may be an indication of a respiratory infection such as bronchitis or pneumonia.

    Coughing can serve as a protective mechanism to clear the airways of irritants, foreign particles, or excess mucus. However, a persistent or severe cough can also be a symptom of an underlying medical condition that requires attention, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or even lung cancer.

    Various treatments and remedies exist to relieve coughing, depending on its cause and severity. These may range from over-the-counter cough suppressants and lozenges to prescription medications, inhalers, or antibiotics for bacterial infections. Additionally, lifestyle changes and avoiding triggers or irritants can also help manage and alleviate coughing episodes.

  2. 1. A sudden explosive forcing of air through the glottis, excited by an effort to expel mucus or other matter from the bronchial tubes or larynx. 2. To force air through the glottis by a series of expiratory efforts.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. • To expel the air from the lungs with considerable force and noise; to expectorate.
    • An effort of the lungs to throw off offending matter, as phlegm from the air passages, accompanied with considerable noise.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for COUGH *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for COUGH

Etymology of COUGH

The word "cough" originated from Middle English "coughen" or "coffin", which in turn derived from Old English "cohhian". This Old English term is believed to have a Proto-Germanic origin, with cognates such as Middle Dutch "kochen" and German "husten". Ultimately, the word can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*khos-", meaning "to cough, spit".

Idioms with the word COUGH

  • cough up sth The idiom "cough up something" means to reluctantly or unwillingly give or provide something, especially money or information. It implies that the person is compelled to give something they would rather keep or withhold.
  • cough one's head off The idiom "cough one's head off" means to cough very persistently, loudly, and vigorously. It implies a severe or intense coughing episode.
  • cough sth up The idiom "cough something up" means to give or surrender something unwillingly or reluctantly, often referring to information or money.
  • cough sth out The idiom "cough something out" means to forcefully or hastily say or utter something, often with little control or consideration. It is typically used to describe speaking quickly or speaking without thinking.
  • cough head off The idiom "cough head off" means to cough intensely, loudly, or continuously. It implies a very loud and severe cough which might be disruptive or attention-grabbing.
  • cough up The idiom "cough up" means to give or surrender something reluctantly, often referring to money or information. It implies that the person or entity is being pressured or forced to make a payment or reveal something they would rather keep to themselves.
  • cough out The idiom "cough out" is defined as the act of revealing or disclosing something reluctantly or unwillingly, typically information or a secret. It implies that the person is hesitant or unwilling to share the information, but eventually does so, often under pressure or necessity.
  • cough something out The idiom "cough something out" means to speak or utter something in a hasty or abrupt manner, often with impatience, urgency, or reluctance. It implies that the information or words being expressed are brought forth hastily, often as if involuntarily, similar to the act of coughing something up.
  • cough something up The idiom "cough something up" means to reluctantly give or reveal something, usually information or money, that one would rather keep secret or retain for oneself.
  • Cough it up! The idiom "Cough it up!" means to demand or insist on getting something from someone, especially information or money, typically in a forceful or impatient manner. It implies urging someone to reveal or provide what they have been withholding or keeping secret.

Similar spelling words for COUGH

Plural form of COUGH is COUGHS

Conjugate verb Cough

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have coughed
you would have coughed
he/she/it would have coughed
we would have coughed
they would have coughed
I would have cough
you would have cough
he/she/it would have cough
we would have cough
they would have cough

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been coughing
you would have been coughing
he/she/it would have been coughing
we would have been coughing
they would have been coughing

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would cough
you would cough
he/she/it would cough
we would cough
they would cough

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be coughing
you would be coughing
he/she/it would be coughing
we would be coughing
they would be coughing

FUTURE

I will cough
you will cough
he/she/it will cough
we will cough
they will cough

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be coughing
you will be coughing
he/she/it will be coughing
we will be coughing
they will be coughing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have coughed
you will have coughed
he/she/it will have coughed
we will have coughed
they will have coughed

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been coughing
you will have been coughing
he/she/it will have been coughing
we will have been coughing
they will have been coughing

IMPERATIVE

you cough
we let´s cough

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to cough

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was coughing
you were coughing
he/she/it was coughing
we were coughing
they were coughing

PAST PARTICIPLE

coughed

PAST PERFECT

I had coughed
you had coughed
he/she/it had coughed
we had coughed
they had coughed

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been coughing
you had been coughing
he/she/it had been coughing
we had been coughing
they had been coughing

PRESENT

I cough
you cough
he/she/it coughs
we cough
they cough

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am coughing
you are coughing
he/she/it is coughing
we are coughing
they are coughing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

coughing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have coughed
you have coughed
he/she/it has coughed
we have coughed
they have coughed

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been coughing
you have been coughing
he/she/it has been coughing
we have been coughing
they have been coughing

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it cough

SIMPLE PAST

I coughed
you coughed
he/she/it coughed
we coughed
they coughed

Infographic

Correct spelling for cough
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