cough

noun

A sudden, often involuntary expulsion of air from the lungs through the glottis (causing a short, explosive sound), and out through the mouth.

A bout of repeated coughing (verb etymology 1, sense 2.1); also, a medical condition that causes one to cough.

(figurative) A noise or sound like a cough (etymology 2, sense 1).

A vocalisation from a bird or other animal resembling a human cough.

verb

(intransitive) To push air from the lungs through the glottis (causing a short, explosive sound) and out through the mouth, usually to expel something blocking or irritating the airway.

(intransitive) To make a noise like a cough.

(transitive, medicine) 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.

(transitive, medicine) To cause (oneself or something) to be in a certain condition in the manner described in etymology 1, sense 1.1.

(transitive, medicine) To express (words, etc.) in the manner described in etymology 1, sense 1.1.

(transitive, medicine) (figurative) To surrender (information); to confess.

(transitive, medicine) (figurative) (originally US, slang) Chiefly followed by up: to give up or hand over (something); especially, to pay up (money).

(intransitive) (originally US, slang) To surrender information; to confess, to spill the beans.

Synonyms for cough

sternutationn snufflen

Synonyms & related words for cough

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Words related to cough

Explore words related to cough — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include tussis, sniffles, wheezing, errhine, wheeziness, croupy, expectoration, wheezes. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for cough

Common synonyms for cough include sternutation, snuffle — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.