cough

[kawf, kof]

verb (used without object)

1. to expel air from the lungs suddenly with a harsh noise, often involuntarily.

2. (of an internal-combustion engine) to make a similar noise as a result of the failure of one or more cylinders to fire in sequence.

3. to make a similar sound, as a machine gun firing in spurts.

verb (used with object)

1. to expel by coughing (usually followed by up orout ).

   to cough up phlegm.

noun

1. the act or sound of coughing.

2. an illness characterized by frequent coughing.

3. a sound similar to a cough, a machine gun, or an engine firing improperly.

verb phrase

1. cough up

   1. to relinquish, especially reluctantly; contribute; give.

   2. to blurt out; state, as by way of making a confession.

      After several hours of vigorous questioning by the police, he finally coughed up the information.

cough

/ kɒf /

verb

1. (intr) to expel air or solid matter from the lungs abruptly and explosively through the partially closed vocal chords

2. (intr) to make a sound similar to this

3. (tr) to utter or express with a cough or coughs

4. slang,  (intr) to confess to a crime

noun

1. an act, instance, or sound of coughing

2. a condition of the lungs or throat that causes frequent coughing

cough

1. The act of expelling air from the lungs suddenly and noisily, often to keep the respiratory passages free of irritating material.

Other Word Forms

• cougher noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cough¹

1275–1325; Middle English coghen, apparently < Old English *cohhian (compare its derivative cohhettan to cough); akin to Dutch kuchen to cough, German keuchen to wheeze

Word History and Origins

Origin of cough¹

Old English cohhetten; related to Middle Dutch kochen, Middle High German kūchen to wheeze; probably of imitative origin

Example Sentences

However, it is unclear if the federal government will reimburse states for those payments, which often total millions each month, making some states reluctant to cough up their own funds.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Emeralds the size of cough drops dangled from each piece.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

RSV can spread through coughs or sneezes but also by touching a contaminated surface, such as a door handle, and then touching your face before washing your hands, health officials warn.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It's a virus that spreads from person to person through close physical contact, coughs or sneezes and touching infected clothing, bedding or towels.

Read more on BBC

She still suffers from a chronic cough and uses an inhaler, she said, adding that “a lot of inhalers were prescribed in the area.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bark 
• choke 
• hack 
• vomit 
• whoop