How to pronounce hiccup
Say it like HIK-up. Hiccup has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HIK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hiccup. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HIK
- up
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hiccup pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HIKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- upKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of hiccup
American and British speakers say hiccup in essentially the same way: /ˈhɪkəp/ in the US and /ˈhɪkʌp/ in the UK.
British respelling: HIK-up.
What does hiccup mean?
- A spasm of the diaphragm, or the resulting sound.“There was a loud hiccup from the back of the room and the class erupted in laughter.”
- A case of the hiccups; the condition of having the spasms of hiccupping; singultus; diaphragmatic myoclonus.
- Any spasm or sudden change.
- To produce a hiccup; have the hiccups.
- To say with a hiccup.“"I haven't touched a drop, officer," the suspect hiccupped.”
- To produce an abortive sound like a hiccup.“The car engine hiccupped but wouldn't start.”
Where does hiccup come from?
Displaced yex, from Middle English yexen, ȝisken, ȝixen, ȝoxen (“to hiccup”), from Old English ġiscian, ġeocsian (“to hiccup”).
Questions about saying hiccup
How do you pronounce hiccup?
Say HIK-up. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɪkəp/. In British English it is /ˈhɪkʌp/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hiccup?
Hiccup has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HIK). Broken into parts: HIK · up.
Do Americans and Brits say hiccup the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈhɪkəp/ and the British form is /ˈhɪkʌp/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.