belch
B2informal
Definition
Meaning
To expel gas noisily from the stomach through the mouth; to burp.
To emit or discharge something (like smoke, fumes, or contents) forcefully, voluminously, or in an uncontrolled manner.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb primarily describes an involuntary bodily function considered impolite in most social contexts. Its figurative use (e.g., a chimney belches smoke) is more formal and descriptive.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or primary usage. The informal synonym 'burp' is slightly more common in everyday US speech for the bodily function.
Connotations
Equally rude or informal for the bodily function in both varieties. The figurative use carries no negative social stigma.
Frequency
'Belch' is less frequent than 'burp' in casual conversation for the bodily act, but remains the standard term in writing for both literal and figurative senses.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
VERB (intransitive): He belched loudly.VERB (transitive) + OBJECT: The volcano belched ash and gas.VERB + PARTICLE (out/forth): The factory belched out toxic fumes.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to 'belch'.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except possibly in environmental or industrial reports (e.g., 'The plant was cited for belching pollutants').
Academic
Used in geology, environmental science, or descriptive prose for figurative emissions.
Everyday
Common for the impolite bodily function. Children's vocabulary.
Technical
Used in medicine (eructation) and engineering/geology for describing forceful emissions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Pardon me, I think I'm going to belch.
- The old lorry belched a cloud of black exhaust.
American English
- He drank his root beer too fast and belched.
- The smokestacks belched pollution into the sky.
adverb
British English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
American English
- Not typically used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not typically used as an adjective.
American English
- Not typically used as an adjective.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby belched after her milk.
- Don't belch at the table!
- The man apologised after he accidentally belched in the restaurant.
- I could hear the engine belch and then stall.
- The malfunctioning boiler began to belch thick, acrid smoke into the basement.
- He belched forth a stream of complaints about the service.
- The fissure in the ocean floor belched superheated mineral-rich water, supporting a unique ecosystem.
- The satire was a belch of contempt directed at the political establishment.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Sounds like 'bulge' — imagine a stomach bulging and then releasing air with a 'belch'.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY/OBJECT IS A CONTAINER RELEASING PRESSURE (belch, vent, explode).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'отрыжка' (burp) which is the noun; 'belch' is primarily the verb. The noun form exists but is less common. The figurative Russian 'изрыгать' (to spew) is a close match for figurative use.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'She belched after drinking the soda.' (Correct but socially marked). More polite: 'She burped...' (common in US English). Incorrect use of preposition: 'belch from' is less common than 'belch out of'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'belch' most likely to be used in a formal report?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when referring to the bodily function, it is considered impolite and informal. The figurative use (e.g., 'belch smoke') is neutral and descriptive.
They are synonyms for the bodily function. 'Burp' is more common in everyday conversation, especially with children, and feels slightly less crude than 'belch'. 'Belch' is also the standard verb for forceful, large-scale emissions.
Yes, but it's less common than the verb. Example: 'He gave a satisfied belch.' The noun 'burp' is more frequent.
Yes, the formal verb is 'eructate' and the noun is 'eructation'. These are used in medical or technical contexts.