verb

retch

Retch (verb) means to make or experience an unsuccessful effort to vomit; to strain or spasm, as if to vomit; to gag or nearly vomit.

verb

To make or experience an unsuccessful effort to vomit; to strain or spasm, as if to vomit; to gag or nearly vomit.

To vomit; to make or experience a successful effort to vomit.

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Etymology

From Middle English *recchen, *rechen (attested in arechen), hræcen (“to cough up”), from Old English hrǣċan (“to clear the throat, hawk, spit”), from Proto-West Germanic *hrākijan, from Proto-Germanic *hrēkijaną (“to clear one's throat”), from Proto-Indo-European *kreg- (“to caw, crow”). Cognate with Icelandic hrækja (“to hawk, spit”), Limburgish räöke (“to induce vomiting”), Bavarian reckn (“to retch, gag”) and German recken (“to retch, gag”). Also related with German Rachen (“throat”).

Rhymes for retch

tch etch itch Dutch catch batch pitch watch witch hutch hatch ditch

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of retch?

"retch" (verb) means to make or experience an unsuccessful effort to vomit; to strain or spasm, as if to vomit; to gag or nearly vomit.

What are the different meanings of retch?

"retch" has 2 main meanings: 1. To make or experience an unsuccessful effort to vomit; to strain or spasm, as if to vomit; to gag or nearly vomit; 2. To vomit; to make or experience a successful effort to vomit.