Bellyached: meaning, definitions and examples

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bellyached

 

[ ˈbɛliˌeɪk ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

complaining often

To bellyache means to complain or grumble about something. It is often used informally to describe whining that may seem excessive or unwarranted.

Synonyms

complain, gripe, grumble, moan, whine

Examples of usage

  • She was bellyaching about the long wait at the restaurant.
  • He always bellyaches when he has to do chores around the house.
  • Instead of bellyaching, why don't you try to find a solution?
  • They spend their weekends bellyaching about their jobs.
  • I get tired of my friend bellyaching about money all the time.

Translations

Translations of the word "bellyached" in other languages:

🇵🇹 reclamou

🇮🇳 शिकायत की

🇩🇪 gejammert

🇮🇩 mengeluh

🇺🇦 скаржився

🇵🇱 narzekał

🇯🇵 不満を言った

🇫🇷 gémir

🇪🇸 quejarse

🇹🇷 şikayet etti

🇰🇷 불평했다

🇸🇦 تذمر

🇨🇿 naříkal

🇸🇰 ťažkal si

🇨🇳 抱怨

🇸🇮 jamral

🇮🇸 kvarta

🇰🇿 назар аударды

🇬🇪 მოწუწვა

🇦🇿 şikayət etdi

🇲🇽 se quejó

Etymology

The term 'bellyache' originally referred to a pain in the belly or stomach, deriving from the Middle English word 'belly' (the stomach) and 'ake' (to have pain or discomfort). It traces back further to the Old English 'bælg', indicating an association with the abdomen. Over time, the meaning shifted from a physical ailment to a metaphorical expression denoting dissatisfaction or distress, especially related to complaining. This evolution reflects the human tendency to equate emotional discomfort with physical symptoms, thereby enriching the language with idioms that capture nuanced experiences. By the late 19th century, 'bellyache' began to be used more frequently in American English to describe a person’s habit of complaining. The informal nature of the term also implies a level of exaggeration in the complaints, adding a humorous or light-hearted tone to the expression.