How to pronounce hiccups
Say it like HIK-ups. Hiccups 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 hiccups. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HIK
- ups
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hiccups 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.
- upsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of hiccups
American and British speakers say hiccups in essentially the same way: /ˈhɪkəps/ in the US and /ˈhɪkəps/ in the UK.
British respelling: HIK-ups.
What does hiccups mean?
- plural of hiccup How to pronounce hiccup“There were several loud hiccups from the back of the room, and the class erupted in laughter.”
- The condition of having the spasms of hiccupping; singultus; diaphragmatic myoclonus.“He has the hiccups – give him a glass of water.”
- third-person singular simple present indicative of hiccup How to pronounce hiccup“He shakes every time he hiccups.”
Questions about saying hiccups
How do you pronounce hiccups?
Say HIK-ups. The American pronunciation is /ˈhɪkəps/. In British English it is /ˈhɪkəps/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hiccups?
Hiccups has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HIK). Broken into parts: HIK · ups.
Do Americans and Brits say hiccups the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈhɪkəps/ and the British form is /ˈhɪkəps/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.