belly
noun (countable)
UK/ˈbel.i/US/ˈbel.i/
The front part of the human trunk below the ribs, containing the stomach and bowels; the underside of an animal’s body; or the rounded or central area of something.
Example Sentences
He clutched his belly after eating too much at the buffet.
The cat rolled over, inviting her owner to rub its soft belly.
She gently massaged the pregnant dog’s belly, feeling the puppies move inside.
Sculptors often emphasize the rounded belly of statues to highlight fertility or abundance.
After the intense workout, his belly muscles were sore and in need of rest.
Most reptiles have scales covering their belly for protection against rough terrain.
In some cultures, a protruding belly has been considered a sign of prosperity and good health for centuries, reflecting access to ample food resources and a comfortable lifestyle.
When designing a violin, luthiers carefully shape the instrument’s belly, or top plate, to create the desired resonance and tone quality.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
verb (transitive)
UK/ˈbel.i/US/ˈbel.i/
To swell or bulge out; to fill out or cause to expand, often used figuratively to describe something curving or protruding outward.
Example Sentences
The sails began to belly in the strong wind, propelling the ship forward.
With the extra cargo, the sides of the backpack seemed to belly outward, straining the zippers.
As storm clouds gathered, they appeared to belly across the sky, darkening the afternoon.
His sweater belied how his torso would slightly belly whenever he inhaled deeply.
The billboard started to belly and crease in the middle because of the strong gusts of wind.
They tried to close the suitcase, but it continued to belly, so they had to remove a few items to make everything fit properly.
Paintings stored in the humid attic began to warp and belly, making them difficult to restore to their original flatness without professional help.
The wide tarpaulin covering the truck would occasionally belly in and out like a giant lung, responding to each sudden change in wind pressure as the vehicle sped down the highway.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
The front or underside of a body, often referring to the abdomen, or a curved bulge.“Belly” is most commonly a noun describing the abdomen area on a person or animal, typically containing the stomach and related organs. In everyday contexts, you might say, “My belly is full,” to indicate you’ve eaten a lot, or “The dog rolled onto its belly,” to describe the softer underside of a pet. By extension, “belly” can also refer to the bulging midsection of inanimate things, such as the “belly of a ship” (its lower hull) or the “belly of a guitar” (the rounded soundboard). Less frequently, “belly” can function as a verb, meaning to swell or bulge outward, e.g., “The sails bellied out in the wind.” The term can appear in idiomatic expressions: “go belly-up” means to fail or collapse (often used for businesses), “belly laugh” describes a deep, hearty laugh, and “to bellyache” means to complain. When you use “belly” in conversation, it usually conveys something central—be it a stomach’s fullness or an object’s rounded core. In figurative or everyday contexts, “belly” can signal comfort, vulnerability (exposing one’s soft underside), or simplicity (talking about physical fullness or a round shape).
Alternatives
Depending on your context, other words may capture some or all of the idea of “belly.” If you’re discussing a person’s anatomy, “abdomen” or “stomach area” may work, though these terms are more clinical. For describing a creature’s underside, you could choose “underside,” “underbelly,” or “ventral side,” especially in scientific or zoological contexts. When you need a synonym to express the bulging midsection of an object, you might say “bulge,” “swelling,” or “rounded section.” Meanwhile, if you wish to emphasize fullness or weight, phrases like “midriff” or “paunch” might convey a plumper quality. In idiomatic sense, consider “core,” “center,” or “heart” if you’re being metaphorical—like “the heart of the ship” in place of “the belly.” Each alternative shifts nuance—“abdomen” or “underbelly” is more formal or anatomical, “paunch” conveys a bigger midsection, and “core” or “heart” tends more figurative or symbolic. Make sure to pick a term that suits the level of detail, style, and tone you need, whether you’re explaining an anatomy lesson or casually referring to a comfortable, rounded shape.
Writing
When writing about “belly,” think about whether you’re emphasizing physical appearance, function, or symbolism. In descriptive passages about people or animals, mentioning a belly can highlight health, movement, or emotion—e.g., “Her cat splayed out, belly up, basking in the afternoon sun.” In fiction or narrative nonfiction, focusing on how a belly moves or reacts can reveal character traits or moods: “His belly jiggled with each hearty laugh,” or “She felt a fluttering in her belly when the phone rang.” For objects like vessels, describing a ship’s belly can spotlight its capacity or emphasize how it holds cargo or passengers. In more figurative or poetic language, referencing a “belly” might evoke warmth, vulnerability, or primal instinct, especially if you’re crafting a theme around nourishment or internal processes. Meanwhile, in technical or academic writing—like anatomy or zoology—specify the role of the belly (abdomen), referencing organs or biological functions. By tailoring details—like the shape, texture, or feeling associated with a belly—you can give readers a deeper sense of tangible reality, emotional tone, or structural significance, depending on your purpose and genre.
Casual Conversation
In day-to-day conversation, “belly” frequently comes up when talking about eating, comfort, or mild complaints. You might say, “My belly’s rumbling,” to indicate hunger, or “I’ve got a bellyache,” signaling stomach pain. With friends or family, you could mention, “I have a belly full of pizza,” playfully pointing to how stuffed you are. If someone is describing a relaxed pet, they might note, “My dog likes belly rubs.” People also chat about how “belly laughs” can be the best kind—big, genuine chuckles that come from deep inside. If someone’s especially excited, they might express “butterflies in my belly,” describing nervous anticipation. In all these casual uses, “belly” highlights a down-to-earth, straightforward, and slightly playful sense of someone’s midsection or emotional responses. It’s less formal than “abdomen,” but friendlier and more vivid, conjuring the image of a warm, personal, even childlike reference to the body’s core. Whether you’re expressing fullness, pain, or just an easy comedic vibe, “belly” suits relaxed settings where everyday language rules.
Etymology
“Belly” comes from Old English “belig,” meaning “bag” or “pouch,” which connected to the concept of a bulging or hollow container—akin to how the belly houses internal organs. Through Middle English, spellings like “bely” and “belli” emerged, preserving the idea of a curved or rounded area in both animals and objects. Over centuries, “belly” stayed closely tied to the notion of the stomach region, reflecting a fundamental aspect of the body—where nourishment is processed and life is sustained. Additionally, language borrowed figurative dimensions; the “belly” of a ship or a building referenced a structural hollow or interior, reflecting the original “pouch” concept. As English evolved, words like “bellyache” or “bellyful” popped up, showing how deeply the term became woven into daily speech around fullness, health, or complaint. Despite the word’s Old English roots, “belly” remains a robust, everyday term, bridging straightforward physical references (“my belly is sore”) with symbolic or comedic expressions (“go belly-up,” “belly laugh”). In each sense, the essence remains—something about a rounded core or interior space that can be filled, emptied, or turned upward for attention, ensuring “belly” retains both literal and figurative significance in modern language.
