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 or out ):

   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. Slang.
   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

/ kôf,kŏf /

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

Derived Forms

• ˈcougher, noun

Other Words From

• cougher 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

He also repeatedly coughed and said he would "pass out" himself as he had a cold, the court heard.

From BBC

Over a third of respondents said they had purchased cough syrup during that time.

From BBC

In the last year, a pair of nonprofits coughed up a combined $6.1 million in mansion tax fees.

From Los Angeles Times

As it gets worse, you start sneezing and coughing.

From BBC

"The US basically wanted to have China cough up some money for that fund as well. Now they won't be able to do that. That leaves China off the hook," Prof Klein said.

From BBC

Related Words

• bark
• choke
• hack
• vomit
• whoop