VocabDictionary

throwing up

/ˈθroʊ.ɪŋ ˈʌp/beginner Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.verb

The act of ejecting stomach contents through the mouth; vomiting.

Example Sentences:
  • He started throwing up after eating the spoiled seafood at the picnic.
  • The motion sickness caused the little boy to keep throwing up during the car ride.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “throwing up”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the phrasal verb 'throw up', combining the verb 'throw' (dating back to Old English 'þrāwan', meaning to twist, hurl, or cast) with the adverb 'up', indicating upward movement. The idiom emerged in the 16th century to describe the violent expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth, visually likened to casting something upward.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Imagine food being 'thrown' from your stomach 'up' and out of your mouth.

Frequently Asked Questions About “throwing up

1. What is the meaning of “throwing up” in English?

In English, throwing up (verb) is defined as: “The act of ejecting stomach contents through the mouth; vomiting.”.

2. How do you use “throwing up” in a sentence?

He started throwing up after eating the spoiled seafood at the picnic.

3. What are English synonyms of “throwing up”?

Common synonyms include:vomiting,puking,regurgitating,barfing

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “throwing up”?

Derived from the phrasal verb 'throw up', combining the verb 'throw' (dating back to Old English 'þrāwan', meaning to twist, hurl, or cast) with the adverb 'up', indicating upward movement. The idiom emerged in the 16th century to describe the violent expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth, visually likened to casting something upward.