boke: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, regional (chiefly Scottish and Northern English)
Quick answer
What does “boke” mean?
To retch or vomit.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To retch or vomit; to feel nauseous.
To behave in a way that is extremely unpleasant or objectionable.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is almost exclusively used in UK English, particularly in Scottish and Northern English dialects. It is virtually unknown in general American English.
Connotations
In its home regions, it is a direct, earthy word for vomiting. Elsewhere, it may sound archaic or obscure.
Frequency
Very low frequency overall; highest regional frequency in Scotland and Northern England.
Grammar
How to Use “boke” in a Sentence
SVO: The smell made him boke.SV: He boked suddenly.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “boke” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The stench from the bin is enough to make you boke.
- I think I'm going to boke after that rollercoaster ride.
American English
- [Word not typically used in AmE; a speaker might use 'gag' or 'puke' instead]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form in use]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form in use]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjectival form in use]
American English
- [No standard adjectival form in use]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Virtually never used; might appear in dialectology or regional literature studies.
Everyday
Used in specific UK regional contexts to describe nausea/vomiting.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “boke”
- Spelling it as 'boke' (correct) vs. 'boak' or 'bawk' (variant spellings).
- Using it in formal international contexts where it is not understood.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an informal, direct word for vomiting, similar in register to 'puke' or 'spew'.
Almost certainly not, unless you are specifically writing about dialectology or quoting regional literature.
'Vomit' is the standard, neutral term. 'Boke' is a regional, informal synonym that specifically emphasizes the retching action or the feeling of nausea.
It rhymes with 'joke' or 'poke' (/boʊk/).
To retch or vomit.
Boke is usually informal, regional (chiefly scottish and northern english) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[no common idioms; word itself is dialectal]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BOAT rocking on rough seas, making you feel so sick you 'BOAKE' over the side.
Conceptual Metaphor
REJECTION IS PHYSICAL EXPULSION (e.g., 'The idea made me boke').
Practice
Quiz
In which regional variety of English is 'boke' most commonly used?