Ough is a letter sequence often seen in words in the English language. In Middle English, where the spelling arose, it was probably pronounced with a back rounded vowel and a velar fricative, e.g., [oːx] or [uːx]. It is by far the sequence of letters with the most unpredictable pronunciation, having at least ten pronunciations in North American English and nine in British English (not counting place names). A few of the more common are these: as in "though" (cf. toe). as in "through" (cf. true). as in "rough" (cf. ruffian). as in "cough" (cf. coffin). as in "thought" (cf. taut). as in "bough...