puke: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Slang
Quick answer
What does “puke” mean?
To vomit.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To vomit; to eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth.
Something or someone considered disgusting or worthless; an exclamation of disgust.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both variants share the same meaning and strong, taboo register.
Connotations
Equally crude and informal in both varieties. No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American English based on corpus data, but widely used in both.
Grammar
How to Use “puke” in a Sentence
VERB: to puke (intransitive)VERB: to puke something up (transitive)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “puke” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- There was a puddle of puke by the kerb after the pub closed.
- Don't be such a puke; just get on with it.
American English
- The dog stepped in some puke on the sidewalk.
- He's a total puke for cheating like that.
verb
British English
- The smell was so bad, I nearly puked right there.
- He'd had too much ale and spent the night puking in the garden.
American English
- The roller coaster made her puke her brains out.
- I think I'm going to puke if I see one more plate of greasy food.
adjective
British English
- This is puke-green coloured paint.
- He told a puke joke that ruined dinner.
American English
- I can't wear that puke-yellow shirt.
- That puke comedy film was surprisingly funny.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Highly inappropriate and unprofessional.
Academic
Inappropriate for formal academic writing. May appear in informal spoken discourse or slang studies.
Everyday
Used in very informal, casual conversation, often among friends or peers.
Technical
Used in some medical contexts as informal slang by patients, but 'vomit' or 'emesis' are the standard terms.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “puke”
- Using it in formal writing or polite company.
- Incorrectly using it as a non-taboo synonym for 'nauseous'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is considered a crude, informal, and vulgar slang term for vomiting. Avoid it in polite or formal situations.
'Vomit' is the standard, neutral term. 'Throw up' is common, informal but not vulgar. 'Puke' is strong, crude slang.
Yes. As a noun, it can mean the substance vomited (e.g., 'clean up the puke') or, derogatorily, a contemptible person.
Yes, 'puke your guts out' is an intensifying idiom meaning to vomit violently and repeatedly.
To vomit.
Puke is usually informal, slang in register.
Puke: in British English it is pronounced /pjuːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /pjuːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “puke your guts out”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sound 'pu-ke' mimicking the action of vomiting.
Conceptual Metaphor
REJECTION IS EXPULSION / DISGUST IS PHYSICAL REJECTION.
Practice
Quiz
In which of these contexts would the word 'puke' be LEAST appropriate?