Puke Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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puke
[pjuːk ]
Definitions
feeling sick
To eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth; to vomit.
Synonyms
regurgitate, throw up, vomit.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| puke |
Informal and often considered crude or impolite. Commonly used in casual conversation or among friends.
|
| vomit |
Neutral to slightly formal. Suitable for both medical contexts and general conversation when discussing illness in a serious manner.
|
| regurgitate |
More formal and technical. Often used in medical contexts or scientific discussions about animals and their feeding habits.
|
| throw up |
Casual, but less crude than 'puke'. Common in everyday conversation and generally acceptable in most social situations.
|
Examples of usage
- He drank too much and ended up puking all night.
- After eating the spoiled food, she felt nauseous and puked.
- The smell was so bad that it made him puke immediately.
result of vomiting
The act of vomiting; the substance that is ejected from the stomach through the mouth.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| puke |
Informal and often considered somewhat vulgar. Typically used in casual conversations, often among friends or in less formal situations.
|
| vomit |
Formal and medical. Used in professional or serious contexts, such as medical discussions or when a more precise term is needed.
|
| barf |
Informal and slightly humorous. Often used in casual, lighthearted conversations, possibly to make the situation less serious.
|
| throw up |
Neutral and more commonly used in both casual and formal contexts. Used when the situation is described straightforwardly without any humorous or vulgar connotations.
|
Examples of usage
- There was a puddle of puke on the floor.
- She couldn't stand the sight or smell of puke.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Health
- Vomiting is a natural reflex that helps protect the body from harmful substances, including spoiled food or toxins.
- In medical terms, excessive vomiting can lead to dehydration, so it's important to stay hydrated if you're feeling sick.
Cultural References
- In comedy, the act of throwing up is often exaggerated for humor, seen in many movies and television shows involving pranks or wild parties.
- The phrase 'puking your guts out' is commonly used to describe severe vomiting, emphasizing dramatic effects in storytelling.
Psychology
- Nausea, leading to vomiting, can be triggered not only by physical illness but also by emotional distress, like anxiety or fear.
- Certain smells or sights can evoke a gag reflex in some individuals, showing how tightly connected our senses are to our digestive system.
Animal Behavior
- Some animals, like dogs, will vomit to clear their stomachs of indigestible objects or harmful food, showcasing a survival instinct.
- Certain birds regurgitate food to feed their young, demonstrating a natural form of nurturing.
Origin of 'puke'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the 18th century and is thought to be a playful variation of the older term 'puke' from Middle English, which referred to the act of vomiting.
- Interestingly, the term is related to similar sounding words in other languages that describe the same action, highlighting a common human experience.
The word 'puke' has its origins in Middle English and is believed to have come from the Old French word 'puquier', which means 'to vomit'. The use of 'puke' to describe the act of vomiting has been documented since the 15th century.
See also: puking.