Standard Lemma guide

hiccough

noun · verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈhɪ.kəp/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈhɪ.kʌp/
  • UK: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • General-American: /ˈhɪ.kəp/
  • General-American: /ˈhɪ.kʌp/
  • rhymes with -ɪkəp
  • homophone: hiccup (RP)
  • CMU ARPABET: HH IH1 K AH0 P Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Dated spelling of hiccup.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

Dated spelling of hiccup.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

(usually plural) the state of having reflex spasms of the diaphragm accompanied by a rapid closure of the glottis producing an audible sound; sometimes a symptom of indigestion

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • how do you cure the hiccups?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: hiccup, singultus

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: reflex, reflex response, reflex action, instinctive reflex, innate reflex, inborn reflex, unconditioned reflex, physiological reaction, symptom

4

verb

Meaning 4

breathe spasmodically, and make a sound

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • When you have to hiccup, drink a glass of cold water

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: hiccup

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: breathe, take a breath, respire, suspire

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.