cough
verb (used without object)
to expel air from the lungs suddenly with a harsh noise, often involuntarily.
coughed
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past participleof cough.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof cough.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
coughverb (used without object)to expel air from the lungs suddenly with a harsh noise, often involuntarily.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
My sister nearly coughed up a lung from laughing, though, like any self-respecting Pilates princess, she didn’t break form.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026
Around 20,000 years ago, a cave was home to generations of owls that regularly coughed up pellets containing the bones of their prey.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 5, 2026
I coughed over the sink, hardly able to get a breath, until I gagged and drooled into the drain.
From Slate ● Jun. 13, 2026
In his opening remarks Friday night, Giuliani coughed and said, “My voice is a little under the weather, so I won’t be able to speak as loudly as I usually do.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 3, 2026
He coughed so loudly that Violet could not be certain he had heard her.
From "The Bad Beginning" by Lemony Snicket
