What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
hiccough
Example
He had a bad case of hiccoughs after drinking too much soda. [hiccoughs: plural noun]
Example
She tried holding her breath to get rid of the hiccoughs. [hiccoughs: plural noun]
singultus
Example
The doctor diagnosed him with singultus after he complained of persistent hiccups. [singultus: noun]
Example
She experienced singultus as a side effect of her medication. [singultus: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Hiccough is more commonly used than singultus in everyday language, and it is the preferred spelling in British English.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between hiccough and singultus?
Singultus is a more formal and technical term that is commonly used in medical contexts, while hiccough is more casual and informal.
