Words spelt with 'ough' may look the same but there are many different pronunciations of this spelling. In this summary, you'll learn the different sounds that the spelling 'ough' can make.

'Uff' sound

Some words spelt with 'ough' are pronounced with an 'uff' sound, like in 'puff'.

Examples

Tough is pronounced as 'tuff'.

Enough is pronounced as 'enuff'.

Rough is pronounced as 'ruff'.

'Ow' sound

There are two different 'ow' sounds that words spelt with 'ough' can make. Some words spelt with 'ough' are pronounced with an 'ow' sound like in 'cow', and others are pronounced with an 'ow' sound like in 'show'.

Examples

'Ow' as in 'cow'	'ow' as in 'show'
Bough is pronounced as 'bow'.	Although is pronounced like 'althow'.
Plough is pronounced as 'plow'.	Dough is pronounced like 'dow'.

'Oo' sound

Some words spelt with 'ough' are pronounced with an 'oo' sound, like in 'too'.

Examples

Through is pronounced like 'throo'.

Breakthrough is pronounced like 'breakthroo'.

'Off' sound

Some words spelt with 'ough' are pronounced with an 'off' sound.

Examples

Cough is pronounced like 'coff'.

Trough is pronounced like 'troff'.

'Or' sound

Some words spelt with 'ough' are pronounced with an 'or' sound, like in 'short'.

Examples

Brought is pronounced like 'brort'.

Thought is pronounced like 'thort'.

Fought is pronounced like 'fort'.

'Uh' sound

Some words spelt with 'ough' are pronounced with an 'uh' sound.

Example

Thorough is pronounced like 'thuruh'.

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FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

How do I pronounce words spelt with 'ough'?

Words spelt with 'ough' may look the same but there are many different pronunciations of this spelling including 'uff', 'ow', 'oo', 'off', 'or' and 'uh'.

How is 'cough' pronounced?

Some words spelt with 'ough' can be pronounced with an 'off' sound. Cough is pronounced like 'coff'.

How is 'through' pronounced?

Some words spelt with 'ough' can be pronounced with an 'oo' sound, like in 'too'. Through is pronounced like 'throo'.

How is 'thought' pronounced?

Some words spelt with 'ough' can be pronounced with an 'ort' sound, like in 'short'. Thought is pronounced like 'thort'.

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Words spelt with 'ough'

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Summary

​Words spelt with 'ough'

In a nutshell

'Uff' sound

Examples

'Ow' sound

Examples

'Ow' as in 'cow'

'ow' as in 'show'

'Oo' sound

Examples

'Off' sound

Examples

'Or' sound

Examples

'Uh' sound

Example

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Exercises

Easy

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Medium

Hard

Hard

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Learning Goals

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

How do I pronounce words spelt with 'ough'?

How is 'cough' pronounced?

How is 'through' pronounced?

How is 'thought' pronounced?

Words spelt with 'ough'