Cough
Last Updated: January 2, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Scrabble:11 ptsWWF:13 pts5 letters
Definition of Cough
Verb
- Sometimes followed by up: to force (something) out of the lungs or throat by pushing air from the lungs through the glottis (causing a short, explosive sound), and out through the mouth.
"Sometimes she coughed up blood."
- Sometimes followed by up: to force (something) out of the lungs or throat by pushing air from the lungs through the glottis (causing a short, explosive sound), and out through the mouth.
"Sometimes she coughed up blood."
- To cause (oneself or something) to be in a certain condition in the manner described in etymology 1 sense 1.1.
"He almost coughed himself into a fit."
- To express (words, etc.) in the manner described in etymology 1 sense 1.1.
- To surrender (information); to confess. Chiefly followed by up: to give up or hand over (something); especially, to pay up (money).
Noun
- A sudden, often involuntary expulsion of air from the lungs through the glottis (causing a short, explosive sound), and out through the mouth.
"Behind me, I heard a distinct, dry cough."
- A bout of repeated coughing (verb etymology 1 sense 2.1); also, a medical condition that causes one to cough.
":"
- A noise or sound like a cough (etymology 2 sense 1).
- A vocalisation from a bird or other animal resembling a human cough.