bellyful: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal
Quick answer
What does “bellyful” mean?
An amount of food that fills one's stomach.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An amount of food that fills one's stomach; the full capacity of the stomach.
A large, excessive, or more than one wants or can tolerate amount of something (typically abstract and unpleasant).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the word. The metaphorical usage may be slightly more established in British English, but it is well-understood in American English.
Connotations
Strongly informal, with a slightly old-fashioned or rustic feel in its literal sense. The metaphorical usage conveys strong annoyance or frustration.
Frequency
Low frequency in both. More likely found in informal speech, novels, or period dramas than in contemporary formal writing.
Grammar
How to Use “bellyful” in a Sentence
[Subject] have/got a bellyful of [NP (abstract)][Subject] gave [Indirect Object] a bellyful of [NP]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially metaphorical: 'After a bellyful of missed deadlines, the client terminated the contract.'
Academic
Extremely rare outside of historical or literary analysis.
Everyday
Informal metaphorical use: 'I've had a bellyful of his excuses.'
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bellyful”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bellyful”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bellyful”
- Using it as a simple synonym for 'a lot' without the negative connotation of excess/satiety (e.g., 'I have a bellyful of friends' is incorrect).
- Using it in formal writing.
- Confusing spelling: 'bellyfull' (incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is one word, a closed compound noun. The spelling 'belly full' (two words) is incorrect for this specific term.
Very rarely. Its literal sense (a stomach full of food) is neutral, but the overwhelming metaphorical use implies a negative, excessive experience that one is tired of.
It is exclusively a noun (a countable noun). There is no verb 'to bellyful'.
No, it is relatively low-frequency. It is considered informal and has a slightly old-fashioned flavour, though its metaphorical idiom 'have a bellyful of' remains in use.
An amount of food that fills one's stomach.
Bellyful is usually informal in register.
Bellyful: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɛlɪfʊl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɛliˌfʊl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “have a bellyful of something”
- “had a bellyful”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bear with a very FULL BELLY after eating a huge meal. It's had a BELLYFUL of honey and now wants no more.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISGUST/ANNOYANCE IS A SURFEIT OF FOOD (Having too much of a bad experience is like having eaten too much food).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'bellyful' used CORRECTLY?