English pronunciation · Words Starting with C

Cough Pronunciation

Cough is pronounced KAHF, IPA /ˈkɑf/.

KAHF

US /ˈkɑf/  ·  UK /ˈkɒf/

Syllables: KAHF (1 syllable)

verb and noun: To force air out of the throat with a sharp sound, or the act of doing that.

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Cough in a Sentence

  • She has had a cough since the start of term.
  • Try not to cough directly at anyone.
  • A dry cough kept him awake all night.

Common Mispronunciations of Cough

Not KOW

This gh is an f, exactly as it is in enough, rough and tough.

Not KUHF

The vowel is the open ah of hot in America and the rounded o of lot in Britain, not the uh of cuff.

Tip: The gh of cough and the gh of though do opposite jobs: an f in one and nothing at all in the other.

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