noun
Uncommon
tummy
TUH-mee
Tummy (noun) means (informal, especially with children) The stomach or belly. Example: “Her tummy grumbled loudly during the meeting.”
noun
1
(informal, especially with children) The stomach or belly.
""So I broke away early this mornin', gave my guard a kick in the tummy that laid him out, and sprinted for the camp.""
— Arthur Conan Doyle, The Lost World … (1912)
"Oh man —pal! You didn't swallow that gum, did you?? It stays in your tummy for seven years and all the other bad stuff sticks to it and then a doctor has to cut it out with an axe!"
— Chesca & J Hause, The Lies (2019)
"Her tummy grumbled loudly during the meeting."
"The doctor gently pressed on the baby's tummy to check for tenderness."
How to use tummy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual, friendly word for the stomach, often used with or by children.
When to use it
Informal — used in casual conversation and with children, not in medical or formal writing (use "stomach" or "abdomen" instead).
Common pairings
tummy ache
tummy button
upset tummy
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Word forms
- Plural
- tummies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her _____ grumbled loudly during the meeting.
Etymology
A childlike softening of "stomach," via the older colloquial form "stummy" — the same kind of playful shortening seen in words like "pasghetti" for spaghetti.
Related words
Rhymes for tummy
See all rhymes for tummy →Frequently asked questions
What does “tummy” mean?
The word “tummy” means (informal, especially with children) The stomach or belly. In plain terms, a casual, friendly word for the stomach, often used with or by children.
How do you pronounce “tummy”?
“Tummy” is pronounced TUH-mee (/ˈtʌ.mi/ in IPA).
How do you use “tummy” in a sentence?
Here is “tummy” used in a sentence: “Her tummy grumbled loudly during the meeting.”
What part of speech is “tummy”?
“Tummy” is a noun.
Is “tummy” a common word?
“Tummy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
