verb
Common
ralph
ralf
Ralph (verb) means slang for to vomit. Example: “The little boy felt ill on the boat and ralphed over the side.”
verb
1
Slang for to vomit.
"The little boy felt ill on the boat and ralphed over the side."
"If you eat that much cake, you'll probably ralph later."
"He ralphed all over the back seat after the fair ride."
name
1
A male given name of Germanic origin.
"Ralph moved to the city after finishing university."
How to use ralph
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs slang, a casual (often humorous) word for throwing up; as a name, a common given name.
When to use it
The "vomit" sense is informal slang — avoid it in formal or professional writing.
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Word forms
- Plural
- ralphs
- Third person singular
- ralphs
- Past tense
- ralphed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The little boy felt ill on the boat and _____ over the side.
Etymology
US slang from the 1960s, of uncertain origin, likely just a jokey use of the personal name Ralph rather than any older word.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for ralph
See all rhymes for ralph →Frequently asked questions
What does “ralph” mean?
The word “ralph” means slang for to vomit. In plain terms, as slang, a casual (often humorous) word for throwing up; as a name, a common given name.
How do you pronounce “ralph”?
“Ralph” is pronounced ralf (/ɹælf/ in IPA).
How do you use “ralph” in a sentence?
Here is “ralph” used in a sentence: “He ralphed all over the back seat after the fair ride.”
What part of speech is “ralph”?
Depending on how it is used, “ralph” can be a verb and a name.
Where does the word “ralph” come from?
The word “ralph” dates back to around 1960. US slang from the 1960s, of uncertain origin, likely just a jokey use of the personal name Ralph rather than any older word.
Is “ralph” a common word?
“Ralph” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ralph” have?
“Ralph” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: slang for to vomit.
Is ralph a slang word for vomiting?
Yes. As a verb, ralph is informal slang meaning to vomit or throw up. It is casual and best avoided in formal writing.
Is Ralph a first name or a surname?
Ralph is a male given name, meaning it is used as a first name. It is of Germanic origin.
How can you tell if ralph means the name or 'to vomit'?
Context and capitalisation usually make it clear. The given name Ralph is written with a capital R, while the slang verb meaning to vomit appears in lowercase and in casual, everyday contexts.
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