belly

USAGE SUMMARY

'belly' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a noun to refer to the front part of the body between the chest and the hips, or to refer to a person's abdomen. An example sentence could be: "He laughed so hard, he clutched his belly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Once just shorthand for a tour bundling transport and lodging, these days it carries dingier connotations: high-rise hotels, beaches crammed with blistering bodies, lurid cocktails slurped from exposed belly buttons.

The Guardian - Travel

Sinason talks of a popular ritual in which a child is stitched inside the belly of a dying animal before being 'reborn to satan'.

The Guardian

"Your belly is too big for a two-piece".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I sieve the mixture into the bucket, place it in the belly of the beast, and start the timer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She had first found Ethel clutching her swollen belly, severely malnourished.

The Guardian

For the others, it's about understanding that credibility and taste can be overrated concepts when genuine belly laughs are on offer.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

The story could easily have gone awry but never belly-flops into sentimentality – its feelgood factor is earned.

The Guardian - Film

It's set in Victorian London, with a cast of quirky characters and plenty of belly-laughs around its murder-mystery plot.

The Guardian - Tech

Then things went predictably belly-up, forcing Cameron and Osborne to dump their deficit-reduction plans and the eurocrats to make more bailouts.

The Guardian - Opinion

Which they did, though the NASL went belly-up after the 1984 season.

The Guardian - Sport

So, where does this leave "American Hustle", rich with eccentricity, belly-aching laughter and much-loved performers, but low on edification?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "belly" when referring to the general abdominal area or when a more informal term is appropriate. Be mindful of the context and audience to ensure it aligns with the desired tone.

Common error

Avoid using "belly" in highly formal or professional writing where more clinical terms like "abdomen" would be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "belly" is as a noun, referring to the front part of the body between the chest and the hips. It can also function as a verb, meaning to swell or bulge. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

32%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "belly" is a commonly used noun with neutral to informal register referring to the abdomen or stomach area. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While versatile, context is crucial, with more formal settings often favoring "abdomen". The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science contexts, offering a broad understanding of its application. When choosing the term, remember that in formal writing using “abdomen” is preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

abdomen

Refers to the part of the body between the chest and pelvis; a more clinical term.

stomach

Specifically denotes the organ responsible for digestion, rather than the general area.

paunch

Implies a protruding or large abdomen, often associated with being overweight.

gut

Informal term for the digestive tract or the abdomen.

lower abdomen

More specific anatomical term indicating position

midriff

Focuses on the area between the chest and waist, often in the context of clothing or exposure.

tummy

A more informal and often childish term for the abdomen.

womb

Specifically refers to the organ in women where offspring are conceived and gestate.

viscera

Refers to the internal organs, particularly those in the abdomen.

internal organs

General term for the organs located inside the body, particularly within the abdomen.

FAQs

How can I use "belly" in a sentence?

You can use "belly" to refer to the abdomen or stomach area. For example, "He rubbed his aching belly after the big meal."

What are some alternatives to "belly"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "abdomen", "stomach", or "tummy".

Is it appropriate to use "belly" in formal writing?

In formal writing, it's generally better to use more clinical terms like "abdomen". "Belly" is more appropriate for informal contexts.

What's the difference between "belly" and "abdomen"?

"Belly" is a more informal and common term for the front part of the body between the chest and the hips, while "abdomen" is a more formal, anatomical term for the same area.