noun
croup
kroop
Croup (noun) means a childhood respiratory illness that causes a harsh, barking cough and breathing difficulty. Example: “The toddler was up half the night with croup, coughing like a seal.”
noun
1
A childhood respiratory illness that causes a harsh, barking cough and breathing difficulty.
"The toddler was up half the night with croup, coughing like a seal."
2
The rump or hindquarters of a horse.
"The saddle blanket was draped over the horse's croup."
How to use croup
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually refers to the barking childhood cough illness; also the back end of a horse.
Common mistake
In everyday use "croup" almost always means the illness — the horse-anatomy sense is mainly used by riders and vets.
Common pairings
a case of croup
croup cough
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Word forms
- Plural
- croups
- Third person singular
- croups
- Past tense
- crouped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The toddler was up half the night with _____, coughing like a seal.
Etymology
From Old French croupe ("rump, body"), from an Old Norse word for the body or trunk.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for croup
See all rhymes for croup →Frequently asked questions
What does “croup” mean?
The word “croup” means a childhood respiratory illness that causes a harsh, barking cough and breathing difficulty. In plain terms, usually refers to the barking childhood cough illness; also the back end of a horse.
How do you pronounce “croup”?
“Croup” is pronounced kroop (/kɹuːp/ in IPA).
How do you use “croup” in a sentence?
Here is “croup” used in a sentence: “The toddler was up half the night with croup, coughing like a seal.”
What part of speech is “croup”?
“Croup” is a noun.
Where does the word “croup” come from?
The word “croup” comes from Old French. From Old French croupe ("rump, body"), from an Old Norse word for the body or trunk.
How many meanings does “croup” have?
“Croup” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a childhood respiratory illness that causes a harsh, barking cough and breathing difficulty.
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