구토
Vomit is the food or liquid that comes out of your stomach when you are sick.
Explanation at your level:
Vomit is the food that comes out of your mouth when you are sick. You say, 'I feel sick' or 'I am going to throw up'. Do not use this word at the dinner table because it is not polite!
When you have a stomach flu, you might vomit. It is the same as 'throwing up'. People usually say 'throw up' in daily life because 'vomit' sounds like a medical word.
Vomit is a noun used to describe the discharge of stomach contents. While it is technically correct, it is often avoided in polite social conversation. You might use it when explaining your symptoms to a doctor or describing a messy situation.
Beyond its literal meaning, 'vomit' is sometimes used figuratively to describe something that causes extreme disgust. It is a register-sensitive word; using it in formal writing is acceptable for medical reports, but in casual settings, it can be seen as overly graphic.
The term 'vomit' is often replaced by 'emesis' in highly clinical or academic settings. Understanding the nuance between 'vomit', 'nausea', and 'regurgitation' is essential for medical professionals. Figuratively, it conveys a strong sense of revulsion that goes beyond mere dislike.
Historically, the root 'vomere' implies a forceful expulsion. In literature, authors may use the word to create a visceral, jarring effect on the reader. It is a word that carries significant weight, and its usage should be carefully considered to avoid unnecessary shock value in writing.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Vomit is stomach contents ejected through the mouth.
- It is a clinical term, often replaced by 'throw up' in casual speech.
- It is considered a taboo or impolite word in social settings.
- Commonly associated with illness or disgust.
When we talk about vomit, we are referring to the physical substance that is expelled from the stomach. It is a very common, albeit unpleasant, bodily function that usually happens when someone is feeling unwell.
You might hear people use this word in both medical contexts and everyday conversation. While it is a simple noun, it carries a strong, visceral meaning because it is associated with being sick or having an upset stomach. Understanding this word helps you describe health conditions or reactions to bad food.
The word vomit comes directly from the Latin word vomere, which means 'to spew forth' or 'to discharge'. It has been part of the English language since the early 17th century.
Interestingly, the root vom- is also the source of the word 'vomitory', which historically referred to an opening or passage that allowed large crowds to exit a stadium quickly. While the medical meaning stayed focused on the stomach, the etymological link to 'spewing out' remains clear in both usages.
In casual conversation, people often prefer softer synonyms like 'throw up' or 'puke' because vomit can sound quite clinical or harsh. However, in a doctor's office or a hospital, 'vomit' is the standard, objective term used to document symptoms.
You will often see it paired with verbs like 'to induce' (in medical contexts) or 'to clean up' (in household contexts). It is important to know that while it is a common word, it is generally considered impolite to discuss in detail during a meal.
1. Make someone want to vomit: Used to describe something so disgusting or morally offensive that it causes physical revulsion. Example: The greed shown by the company made me want to vomit.
2. Vomit up: A phrasal verb meaning to eject something. Example: The dog vomited up his breakfast.
3. Induce vomiting: A formal phrase used in medical emergencies. Example: Do not induce vomiting if they have swallowed chemicals.
4. A vomit-inducing sight: Describes something visually repulsive. Example: The state of the abandoned house was a vomit-inducing sight.
5. Feel like vomiting: To experience nausea. Example: I felt like vomiting after the rollercoaster ride.
The word vomit acts as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it is usually uncountable when referring to the substance in general, but can be countable when referring to specific instances (e.g., 'there were several vomits on the floor').
Pronunciation follows the pattern VOM-it, with the stress on the first syllable. It rhymes with words like 'comet' or 'grommet'. In British English, the 'o' is shorter, while in American English, it may sound slightly more open.
Fun Fact
The Latin word 'vomitorium' was an architectural term for stadium exits.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'o' sound, stress on first syllable.
Longer 'a' sound, clear 't' at the end.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'i' as 'e'
- Misplacing the stress
- Swallowing the final 't'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Simple to write
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Verb Tenses
He vomited (past).
Countable vs Uncountable
Vomit is usually uncountable.
Phrasal Verbs
Vomit up.
Examples by Level
I feel sick.
I feel ill
Feeling sick is different from being sick
The baby vomited.
The baby threw up
Past tense
Do not vomit here.
Don't be sick here
Imperative
He is sick.
He is ill
State of being
I saw vomit.
I saw the mess
Noun usage
Are you sick?
Do you feel bad?
Question
The dog is sick.
The dog is ill
Subject-verb
Clean the vomit.
Wipe the mess
Verb usage
The food made me vomit.
He vomited after the race.
There was vomit on the floor.
She felt like she would vomit.
The smell caused him to vomit.
Don't vomit on the carpet.
He vomited his dinner.
The doctor asked if I vomited.
The patient vomited twice during the night.
The sight of the accident made me want to vomit.
He had to clean up the vomit in the hallway.
She was suffering from severe nausea and vomiting.
The medication lists vomiting as a common side effect.
He vomited up the bad sushi he ate.
I felt so dizzy I thought I would vomit.
The child vomited all over his shirt.
The sheer hypocrisy of the speech made me want to vomit.
Medical staff must be prepared to handle patients who vomit.
The substance caused immediate vomiting in the test subjects.
He tried to suppress the urge to vomit.
The smell of the chemicals was enough to induce vomiting.
She vomited after the intense workout.
The patient's persistent vomiting was a cause for concern.
He described the experience as vomit-inducing.
The narrative was so saccharine it was almost vomit-inducing.
The clinical report noted frequent episodes of projectile vomiting.
He suppressed a wave of nausea, fearing he might vomit in public.
The sight of the carnage was enough to make anyone vomit.
The patient presented with acute abdominal pain and vomiting.
The politician's lies were enough to make the public vomit.
The toxin is known to induce violent vomiting.
He felt the bile rise, threatening to vomit.
His vitriolic rhetoric was enough to make one want to vomit.
The medical literature distinguishes between regurgitation and vomiting.
The scene was described with such visceral detail that it induced vomiting.
He felt a profound sense of existential dread that manifested as a desire to vomit.
The patient's chronic vomiting led to severe dehydration.
The artist used the imagery of vomit to represent societal decay.
The toxic spill caused widespread vomiting among the local population.
He could barely contain the vomit rising in his throat.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"make someone want to vomit"
to be extremely disgusting
His behavior makes me want to vomit.
casual"vomit up"
to throw up
He vomited up his lunch.
neutral"a vomit-inducing sight"
something very gross
The room was a vomit-inducing sight.
casual"feel like vomiting"
to feel nauseous
I feel like vomiting after that ride.
neutral"the urge to vomit"
the feeling of needing to be sick
He fought the urge to vomit.
neutral"vomit forth"
to spew out (literary)
The volcano vomited forth lava.
literaryEasily Confused
Related to the same event
Nausea is the feeling, vomit is the action
I felt nausea before I vomited.
Both involve the mouth
Spit is saliva, vomit is stomach contents
He spit on the ground.
Both mean bringing up food
Regurgitate is often used for birds or scientific contexts
The bird regurgitated food.
Both involve the stomach
Indigestion is pain, vomit is the expulsion
I have indigestion from the spicy food.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + vomited + after + noun
He vomited after the meal.
Subject + felt + the + urge + to + vomit
She felt the urge to vomit.
Noun + caused + subject + to + vomit
The smell caused him to vomit.
Subject + was + vomiting + for + duration
He was vomiting for hours.
Subject + vomited + up + object
The dog vomited up his food.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
5
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
It is considered very impolite to talk about bodily functions at the table.
Nausea is the sensation before you vomit.
Vomit is not usually used with 'did a'.
Vomit is a noun; it needs a suffix to describe something.
Vomit is specific to the stomach.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a 'V' shape coming out of your mouth.
When Native Speakers Use It
Mostly in medical or descriptive contexts.
Cultural Insight
Avoid it at the dinner table.
Grammar Shortcut
It's a regular verb (vomit, vomited).
Say It Right
Stress the first syllable: VOM-it.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it as a synonym for 'spit'.
Did You Know?
The word comes from Latin.
Study Smart
Learn synonyms like 'nausea' alongside it.
Register Check
Use 'throw up' with friends, 'vomit' with doctors.
Politeness
It is a 'gross' word, so use it sparingly.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Vomit starts with V, like 'Very bad stomach'.
Visual Association
A person holding their stomach looking green.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use the word 'nausea' instead of 'vomit' in a sentence.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: To spew forth
Cultural Context
Avoid using during meals.
Generally considered a 'taboo' word in polite society.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At the doctor
- I have been vomiting
- How many times did you vomit?
At home
- I need to clean this up
- Are you feeling better?
Describing a bad experience
- It was vomit-inducing
- I felt like I would vomit
Medical report
- Patient reports vomiting
- Episodes of emesis
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever felt so sick you had to vomit?"
"What is the most disgusting thing you have ever seen?"
"Do you think it's polite to use the word 'vomit' in public?"
"How do you describe feeling sick without using the word 'vomit'?"
"What should you do if someone vomits in public?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you felt really sick.
Why do you think some words are considered impolite?
Write a short story about a character who has a weak stomach.
Explain the difference between feeling nauseous and actually vomiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt is not a swear word, but it is considered impolite.
Only if you are explaining a medical absence.
Puke is much more casual and sometimes considered rude.
No, spitting is from the mouth, vomiting is from the stomach.
Usually to remove toxins from the body.
Say 'I'm feeling unwell' or 'I have an upset stomach'.
Usually uncountable, but can be countable in specific contexts.
Yes, they are perfect rhymes.
Test Yourself
I feel sick, I might ___.
Vomit is the correct term for being sick.
Which is a synonym for vomit?
Throw up is the common casual synonym.
Vomit is a polite word to use at dinner.
It is considered impolite.
Word
Meaning
Matching definitions.
Correct SVO order.
The smell was ___.
Vomit-inducing describes the smell.
Emesis is a medical term for vomit.
Emesis is the clinical term.
What does 'vomit forth' mean?
It's a literary way to say eject.
Correct adjective-noun phrase.
The patient suffered from ___ vomiting.
Persistent is a common medical collocation.
Score: /10
Summary
Vomit is the clinical term for throwing up, and while useful in medical contexts, it should be used carefully in social situations.
- Vomit is stomach contents ejected through the mouth.
- It is a clinical term, often replaced by 'throw up' in casual speech.
- It is considered a taboo or impolite word in social settings.
- Commonly associated with illness or disgust.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a 'V' shape coming out of your mouth.
When Native Speakers Use It
Mostly in medical or descriptive contexts.
Cultural Insight
Avoid it at the dinner table.
Grammar Shortcut
It's a regular verb (vomit, vomited).
Example
심한 구토와 설사 증상이 나타났다.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More health words
비정상적이다
B1Deviating from what is normal or usual; abnormal.
비정상이다
A2To be abnormal or irregular.
에 대해서
A2Indicating the topic or subject; about, concerning.
누적되다
B1To be accumulated or added up over a period of time. It is frequently used to describe the buildup of fatigue, debt, or environmental damage.
몸살
A2General body aches and fatigue, often accompanying a cold or flu.
몸살나다
A2To suffer from body aches and fatigue, often due to a cold.
쑤시다
B1To have a dull, throbbing pain; to ache.
에취
A2Achoo! (onomatopoeia for sneezing).
급성적이다
A2To be acute or sudden (e.g., an illness).
급성이다
A2Having a rapid onset and short course; to be acute (illness).
