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How to pronounce Hiccough

How to Pronounce "Hiccough"

Definition: How to say "Hiccough" and use it in a sentence

Phonetic Spelling:

hic·cough /ˈhɪkʌp/ (pronounced as hik-uhp)

How to say "Hiccough" correctly

Here are some definitions of Hiccough.

  • A spasm of the diaphragm resulting in a rapid, involuntary inhalation that is stopped by the sudden closure of the glottis and accompanied by a sound like a cough
  • An involuntary spasm of the diaphragm and respiratory organs, with a sudden closure of the glottis and a sound like a cough
  • A spasm of the diaphragm, causing a sudden, involuntary inhalation that is usually followed by the closure of the glottis and the characteristic sound of a hiccup
  • A sudden, involuntary inhalation that follows a spasm of the diaphragm and is suddenly checked by closure of the glottis, producing a short, relatively sharp sound
  • A spasm of the diaphragm resulting in a rapid, involuntary inhalation that is stopped by the sudden closure of the glottis and accompanied by a sound like a cough

Learn how to use Hiccough in a complete sentence:

  • She couldn’t stop the hiccoughs that seemed to come out of nowhere.
  • Every time he laughed too hard, he would get a hiccough.
  • The baby’s hiccoughs were both amusing and concerning to the new parents.
  • After drinking a glass of water too quickly, she felt the familiar hiccoughs begin.
  • The persistent hiccoughs were starting to become painful for him.

Related words to Hiccough:

Hiccup, Hickory, Hick, Hickey, Hickory, Hick, Hickey, Hickory, Hick, Hickey,

Synonyms for Hiccough

Hiccup, Belch, Burp, Chuckle, Giggle, Snicker, Chortle, Snort, Cackle, Guffaw,

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How you can learn “Hiccough” more accurately

Here are some techniques that should help you perfect your pronunciation of ‘Hiccough‘:

  • Break down ‘Hiccough’ into each individual sound, say it aloud and exaggerate each sound until you can consistently repeat it without mistakes.
  • Record yourself saying ‘Hiccough‘ in full sentences and then watch or listen back. You should be able to find all of your mistakes quite easily.
  • Look up more tutorials on Google on how to pronounce ‘Hiccough‘ correctly.
  • Target a single accent: when you mix multiple accents, it can confuse people, especially for beginners. So pick just one accent, perhaps English and master that one first.


A few more tips\techniques to enhance your English pronunciation skills, it’s advised to embrace the following methods:

Practicing contraction and abbreviation in speech is normal in the U.S. and is viewed as a natural part of informal dialogue. For instance, altering “what are you going to do this weekend” to “what you gonna do this weekend” is widely accepted. Delve into terms like ‘gonna’ and ‘wanna’ for additional information.

Improving your intonation is essential for English fluency. The patterns of stress, rhythm, and pitch in English are crucial in conveying your message and feelings. Many resources and videos on Youtube can aid you in learning these components to pronounce ‘Hiccough’.

Engage with multiple Youtube channels dedicated to English learning. These platforms offer no-cost resources that tackle important language skills. Pronounce.tv is an additional excellent source for improving your pronunciation.

Mimicking native speakers can greatly improve your pronunciation. Listen to how they say ‘Hiccough’ and try to replicate the tone, speed, and rhythm in your speech, making it a part of your routine.

Incorporate phonetic exercises into your daily practice. Learning and practicing the phonetic sounds of English can help you improve your pronunciation of complex vocabulary.

Frequently practice English in your daily conversations. The more you speak, the more comfortable you’ll become with the nuances of pronunciation and accent, improving your overall expressive capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do native speakers in New Zealand say hiccough?

In New Zealand, native speakers typically pronounce “hiccough” as “hiccup.” The pronunciation of this word can vary depending on regional accents and dialects, but in general, New Zealanders tend to use the more common pronunciation of “hiccup” rather than the less common “hiccough” that is sometimes used in other English-speaking countries. The word “hiccup” refers to the involuntary spasm of the diaphragm that causes a sudden, audible intake of breath, often repeated several times in succession.

Is the pronunciation of hiccough the same in British and American English?

The pronunciation of “hiccough” is not the same in British and American English. In British English, “hiccough” is pronounced as “hiccup,” with the stress on the first syllable. On the other hand, in American English, “hiccough” is pronounced as “hiccup,” with the stress on the second syllable. The difference in pronunciation reflects the historical evolution of the word, as “hiccough” was the original spelling and pronunciation, but over time, “hiccup” became the more common form in American English. Despite the spelling differences, both British and American English speakers understand the word to mean a sudden, involuntary contraction of the diaphragm causing a sharp intake of breath and a sound like a “hiccup.”

How do you pronounce hiccough in the US?

In the United States, the word “hiccough” is typically pronounced as “hiccup.” The original spelling of the word was “hiccough,” but over time, the spelling has evolved to “hiccup” while the pronunciation has remained the same. The word refers to the involuntary spasm of the diaphragm that causes a sudden inhalation of air, producing the characteristic sound. The pronunciation of “hiccup” is more commonly used and recognized in American English compared to the older spelling of “hiccough.”

In which country is the pronunciation of hiccough different from the others?

The pronunciation of “hiccough” is different in the United States compared to other English-speaking countries. In the US, it is commonly pronounced as “hiccup,” with a hard “p” sound at the end. However, in countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, it is pronounced as “hiccup,” with a soft “p” sound at the end. This difference in pronunciation can be attributed to the evolution of language and regional variations in accents and dialects. Despite the variation in pronunciation, the meaning and sound of the word remain the same across all English-speaking countries.

Is there a difference in pronunciation between North American and British English for the word hiccough?

Yes, there is a difference in pronunciation between North American and British English for the word “hiccough.” In North American English, the word is typically pronounced as “hiccup,” with the emphasis on the first syllable. On the other hand, in British English, the word is pronounced as “hiccup,” with the emphasis on the second syllable. The difference in pronunciation reflects the variations in accent and phonetics between the two dialects. Despite the difference in pronunciation, both forms of the word refer to the involuntary spasm of the diaphragm that results in a sharp intake of breath and a closure of the glottis, producing the characteristic sound of a hiccup.

What is the phonetic symbol for hiccough?

The phonetic symbol for the word “hiccough” is usually represented as /ˈhɪkʌp/. In this phonetic transcription, the symbol /ˈ/ indicates the primary stress on the first syllable “hik,” the symbol /ɪ/ represents the short “i” sound in “hik,” the symbol /k/ represents the hard “k” sound, and the symbol /ʌ/ represents the “uh” sound in the second syllable “up.” By breaking down the word into its individual sounds and using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbols, linguists and language learners can accurately represent the pronunciation of words like “hiccough” in a standardized way.

What is the correct pronunciation of hiccough in Australia?

In Australia, the correct pronunciation of “hiccough” is typically the same as in British English, where it is pronounced as “hiccup.” The word “hiccough” is an alternative spelling of “hiccup,” which refers to the involuntary spasm of the diaphragm that causes the sudden intake of breath and the characteristic “hic” sound. While the spelling “hiccough” is less common than “hiccup” in modern usage, both terms are generally pronounced the same way in Australian English.

Do English speakers in India pronounce hiccough the same way?

In India, English speakers typically pronounce “hiccough” as “hiccup.” This pronunciation is influenced by British English, which is commonly spoken in India due to its history of British colonization. In British English, “hiccough” is pronounced as “hiccup,” with the “ough” being silent. Therefore, English speakers in India generally follow this pronunciation pattern and say “hiccup” instead of “hiccough.” The pronunciation may vary slightly depending on the region or individual accents within India, but the general trend is to pronounce it as “hiccup.”

How do you pronounce hiccup hiccough?

Both “hiccup” and “hiccough” are correct spellings for the same word and are pronounced the same way. The most common spelling in modern English is “hiccup,” while “hiccough” is an older variant that is less commonly used today. The word refers to a sudden, involuntary contraction of the diaphragm muscle, causing a sharp intake of breath and a distinctive sound. The pronunciation of this word is typically “HIH-cup,” with the stress on the first syllable.

How is hiccough pronounced in Canadian English?

In Canadian English, the word “hiccough” is pronounced as “hiccup.” The pronunciation of this word in Canadian English follows the same pattern as in American English, where the spelling “hiccup” is more commonly used. The word refers to the involuntary spasm of the diaphragm that causes one to make a quick, involuntary inhalation that is then interrupted by a sudden closure of the glottis, producing a distinctive sound. The pronunciation of “hiccup” is consistent with the phonetic rules of Canadian English, where the “ough” ending is typically pronounced as “up.”

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