What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
harrumph
Example
The politician harrumphed at the reporter's question. [harrumph: verb]
Example
He let out a harrumph before storming out of the room. [harrumph: noun]
cough
Example
She coughed into her elbow to avoid spreading germs. [cough: verb]
Example
He had a persistent cough that lasted for weeks. [cough: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Cough is more commonly used than harrumph in everyday language. Cough is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while harrumph is less common and more informal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between harrumph and cough?
While cough is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, harrumph is typically associated with a casual and informal tone and is less appropriate for formal situations.
