retch
[ rech ]
/ rɛtʃ /
Save This Word!
verb (used without object)
to make efforts to vomit.
verb (used with object)
to vomit.
noun
the act or an instance of retching.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!
Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.
Question 1 of 7
“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
Meet Grammar Coach
Improve Your Writing
Origin of retch
1540–50; variant of reach,Old English hrǣcan to clear the throat (not recorded in ME), derivative of hrāca a clearing of the throat; compare Old Norse hrǣkja to hawk, spit
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH retch
retch , wretchWords nearby retch
retarded, retarded dentition, retardee, retarder, retarget, retch, retcon, retd., rete, rete arteriosum, rete articulare
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for retch
British Dictionary definitions for retch
retch
/ (rɛtʃ, riːtʃ) /
verb
(intr) to undergo an involuntary spasm of ineffectual vomiting; heave
to vomit
noun
an involuntary spasm of ineffectual vomiting
Word Origin for retch
Old English hrǣcan; related to Old Norse hrǣkja to spit
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for retch
retch
[ rĕch ]
v.
To try to vomit.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.