How to pronounce coughing
Say it like KOF-ing. Coughing has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOF).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce coughing. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOF
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Coughing pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KOFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of coughing
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: KOF-ing.
Other ways to say coughing
Coughing also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- KAW-fing /ˈkɔfɪŋ/
What does coughing mean?
- present participle and gerund of cough How to pronounce cough
- A cough; the act of coughing.
- A repetitive vocalization of a bird or other animal that resembles human coughing.
Questions about saying coughing
How do you pronounce coughing?
Say KOF-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑfɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈkɒfɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in coughing?
Coughing has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOF). Broken into parts: KOF · ing.
Is coughing pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈkɒfɪŋ/ (KOF-ing).