antitussive: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “antitussive” mean?
A medicine that suppresses or relieves coughing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medicine that suppresses or relieves coughing.
Any agent or substance that acts to prevent or alleviate coughing, typically by suppressing the cough reflex in the brain or soothing the respiratory tract.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Neutral, clinical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both UK and US English, confined to professional/medical discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “antitussive” in a Sentence
The doctor prescribed [an antitussive] for the persistent cough.[This syrup] has antitussive properties.[Codeine] is a powerful antitussive.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “antitussive” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The lozenges have an antitussive effect.
- She was given an antitussive syrup.
American English
- The medication has antitussive properties.
- He needs an antitussive agent for his dry cough.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in pharmaceutical company reports or marketing materials for OTC products.
Academic
Common in medical, pharmacology, and physiology texts and research papers discussing respiratory treatments.
Everyday
Very rare. Most speakers would use 'cough medicine' or 'cough suppressant'.
Technical
Standard term in medical, clinical, and pharmacological contexts to describe a class of therapeutic agents.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “antitussive”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “antitussive”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “antitussive”
- Misspelling as 'antitusive' (missing one 's').
- Using it in everyday conversation where 'cough medicine' is more appropriate.
- Confusing it with 'expectorant' (which helps bring up mucus).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a technical term used primarily in medical and pharmaceutical contexts. In everyday speech, people say 'cough medicine' or 'cough suppressant'.
Yes. As a noun: 'Take this antitussive.' As an adjective: 'It has antitussive effects.' It is most commonly used as a noun.
An antitussive suppresses or stops the cough reflex. An expectorant helps loosen and expel mucus from the airways, often making you cough more productively.
Yes. Dextromethorphan is a very common non-prescription antitussive found in many brand-name cough syrups and lozenges.
A medicine that suppresses or relieves coughing.
Antitussive is usually technical/medical in register.
Antitussive: in British English it is pronounced /ˌantɪˈtʌsɪv/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæntiˈtʌsɪv/ˌˌæntaɪˈtʌsɪv/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ANTI-TUSSIVE. 'Anti-' means against. 'Tussive' relates to 'tussis', the Latin word for cough. So, it's ANTI-COUGH.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEDICINE IS A SUPPRESSOR (of symptoms).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of an antitussive?