cough

/kɔf/
verb
  1. To force air out of your lungs with a sudden, harsh sound, often because you are sick or something is in your throat.
    • She started to cough loudly during the concert.
    • The baby coughed after drinking his milk too fast.
    • If you cough, cover your mouth with your elbow.
  2. To make a sound like a cough, especially as a sign of a problem with an engine or machine.
    • The engine coughed once and died on the side of the road.
    • The old car coughed and sputtered before finally starting.
    • My computer fan coughed a few times and then stopped working.
Synonyms
noun
  1. The act or sound of coughing.
    • He gave a loud cough to get the teacher's attention.
    • A persistent cough can be a sign of allergies.
    • I heard a cough from the back of the room.
  2. An illness that makes you cough frequently.
    • The doctor gave me medicine for my cough.
    • Honey and lemon tea can help soothe a cough.
    • She has had a bad cough for over a week.
What does "cough" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean