belly
13 synonyms and 0 antonyms for belly, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The front part of the body between the chest and the hips; the stomach area.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use belly
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English bielġ, meaning "bag" or "bulge" — a distant cousin of "bellows," since both descend from a root meaning "to swell up."
Full origin of belly →Frequently asked questions
What does “belly” mean?
The word “belly” means the front part of the body between the chest and the hips; the stomach area. In plain terms, the stomach area of the body, or any rounded, bulging part of an object.
How do you pronounce “belly”?
“Belly” is pronounced BEH-lee (/ˈbɛli/ in IPA).
How do you use “belly” in a sentence?
Here is “belly” used in a sentence: “The puppy rolled over to have its belly rubbed.”
What is another word for “belly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “belly” include abdomen, midriff, stomach, tum, tummy and tum-tum.
What part of speech is “belly”?
Depending on how it is used, “belly” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “belly” come from?
The word “belly” comes from Old English. From Old English bielġ, meaning "bag" or "bulge" — a distant cousin of "bellows," since both descend from a root meaning "to swell up.".
Is “belly” a common word?
“Belly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “belly” have?
“Belly” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the front part of the body between the chest and the hips; the stomach area.
What is the difference between 'belly' and 'stomach'?
'Belly' usually refers to the outer front part of the body between the chest and hips. 'Stomach' can mean that same external area in casual speech, but strictly it is the internal organ that digests food. So the belly contains the stomach, and the words are not exactly interchangeable.
Is 'belly' a formal or informal word?
'Belly' is fairly informal and conversational. In formal, clinical, or medical contexts 'abdomen' is preferred, while 'tummy' is more childlike, leaving 'belly' comfortably in the middle for everyday use.