Vomit: meaning, definitions and examples

Formal medical or clinical descriptions, or when discussing health issues.

• The patient began to vomit after taking the medication.
• Vomiting is one of the symptoms of food poisoning.

Casual contexts, but more neutral than 'puke'. Often used in everyday conversation.

• I think I'm going to throw up.
• She threw up after eating something bad.

Scientific or veterinary contexts, often used to describe animals bringing up partially digested food. Can also refer to repeating information without understanding it.

• Birds often regurgitate food to feed their chicks.
• The student just regurgitated the information without really understanding it.

Casual, informal conversations, often used among friends or in informal settings. It can have a slightly negative or crude tone.

• I felt so sick, I thought I was going to puke.
• He puked all over the floor after the party.

Widely used in both formal and informal contexts to describe the act of throwing up.

• She felt nauseous and began to vomit
• The doctor will evaluate the cause of your frequent vomiting

Technical and medical term, usually found in medical settings or documents.

• The patient experienced emesis after the surgery
• Anti-emetic drugs are used to prevent emesis

Describes the action of dry heaving or making the movements of vomiting without expelling anything. Often implies discomfort.

• He was retching over the sink but nothing came out
• The smell of the garbage made her start retching

Informal and often considered slang; typically used in casual conversation or by young people.

• I think I’m going to barf if I eat any more of this
• He barfed all over the floor