26984 words

cough

6 definitions • 11 examples
1
to force air out of your lungs through your throat with a short, loud sound:

Examples:

The smoke made me cough.
I coughed all night long.
2
to make a sound like a cough:

Examples:

The car engine coughed a few times, but wouldn't start.
3
the act of coughing, or the sound this makes:

Examples:

a dry cough (= one that does not produce mucus)
a hacking (= very bad and loud) cough
4
an illness that makes you cough a lot:

Examples:

a smoker's cough
Emily has a very bad/nasty cough.
5
to force air out of your lungs through your throat with a short, loud sound, often unwillingly:

Examples:

The smoke from the bonfire made me cough.
fig. The car engine coughed a few times, but wouldn’t start.
6
an act of forcing air out of your lungs through your throat with a short, loud sound, often unwillingly:

Examples:

a dry cough
There are lots of coughs and colds going around this winter.

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