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

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