bellyache

American  

[bel-ee-eyk] / ˈbɛl iˌeɪk /

noun

1. a pain in the abdomen or bowels.

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verb (used without object)

bellyached, bellyaching

1. to complain; grumble.

bellyache British  

/ ˈbɛlɪˌeɪk /

noun

1. an informal term for stomachache

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verb

1. slang (intr) to complain repeatedly

Other Word Forms

• bellyacher noun

Etymology

Origin of bellyache

belly + ache; bellyache def. 1 was first recorded in 1545–55, and bellyache def. 2, an Americanism, in 1885–90

Explanation

A pain in your stomach is a bellyache. Don't eat too much cotton candy at the fair, or you'll definitely get a bellyache! You might also refer to a bellyache as a tummy ache or an upset stomach. Whatever you call it, it's no fun, and it might even cause you to lie in bed and moan a little. As a verb, bellyache means "complain" or "whine." If your brother insists on taking part in a hotdog eating contest, you might be stuck listening to him bellyache about his bellyache later.

Example Sentences

To be fair, backbenchers, and even politicians in government, love to bellyache.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2024

He showed up even though he didn't have to, and raced towards the cameras so he could bellyache at length about the proceedings.

From Salon • Oct. 24, 2023

You get a bellyache, or worse, in part because processed foods and high fructose corn syrup alter the composition of bacteria in our gut, decreasing the influence of “good” bacteria and increasing “bad” bacteria.

From Scientific American • Sep. 8, 2023

Almost inevitably, when corporate managements bellyache about short selling, their shares are under pressure for fundamental reasons, such as management ineptitude or dishonesty.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2023

A great banquet was served during the day, and I often gave myself a bellyache by eating too much while listening to speaker after speaker.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela