English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
verb B2 Upper-Intermediate

bellow

BEH-loh
Quiz me More like this

Bellow (verb) means to shout in a deep, loud voice. Example: “The sergeant bellowed orders across the parade ground.”

verb
1
To shout in a deep, loud voice.
"The sergeant bellowed orders across the parade ground."
"He bellowed for help when he saw the smoke."
2
To make the loud, deep roaring sound of a large animal, such as a bull.
"The bull bellowed and pawed at the ground."
noun
1
A loud, deep roar or shout.
"A bellow of laughter erupted from the back of the room."

How to use bellow

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo shout or roar loudly and deeply, like an angry bull or a furious sergeant.

Common pairings
bellow orders bellow with rage bellow in pain
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like bellow.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice

Word forms

Plural
bellows
Third person singular
bellows
Past tense
bellowed
Test yourself on “bellow” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The sergeant _____ orders across the parade ground.

Etymology

From Old English belgan, "to swell with rage," part of the same ancient root family as "bulge" and "billow" — the common thread being something swelling up before it bursts out.

Origin: Old English

Related words

Rhymes for bellow

See all rhymes for bellow →

Frequently asked questions

What does “bellow” mean?
The word “bellow” means to shout in a deep, loud voice. In plain terms, to shout or roar loudly and deeply, like an angry bull or a furious sergeant.
How do you pronounce “bellow”?
“Bellow” is pronounced BEH-loh (/ˈbɛloʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “bellow” in a sentence?
Here is “bellow” used in a sentence: “The sergeant bellowed orders across the parade ground.”
What part of speech is “bellow”?
Depending on how it is used, “bellow” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “bellow” come from?
The word “bellow” comes from Old English. From Old English belgan, "to swell with rage," part of the same ancient root family as "bulge" and "billow" — the common thread being something swelling up before it bursts out.
How many meanings does “bellow” have?
“Bellow” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to shout in a deep, loud voice.

Featured in

People also searched