expectorate

USAGE SUMMARY

"expectorate" is a valid word in written English.
It is a verb meaning to discharge saliva or mucus out of the mouth. Example sentence: I had to expectorate after eating the extremely spicy food.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

What only a few members of what might be called the expectorate (not to be confused with the electorate) expected was that Romney would do so much better than expected — and Barack Obama so much worse.

The New Yorker

At a recent tasting of wines from Spain, I was given the opportunity to taste and expectorate two red wines that together beautifully illustrate the gullibility to which wine drinkers are prone.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Following Marks's instructions, I swirled the contents of each cup in my mouth, spat into a dedicated sink that had received the expectorate of countless tasters before me, rinsed with water, and moved on to the next cup: more or less like a wine tasting, but withoutthe wine.

The New Yorker

Following Marks's instructions, I swirled the contents of each cup in my mouth, spat into a dedicated sink that had received the expectorate of countless tasters before me, rinsed with water, and moved on to the next cup: more or less like a wine tasting, but without the wine.

The New Yorker

Then, there is the third and most common option, which defies all logic: you enter a weird catarrhal limbo that requires you to expectorate the words in English with a heavy Gothic croak.

The New Yorker

But according to the insta-polls, the electorate, as opposed to what I once called the expectorate, seems to have concluded fairly clearly that Biden "won," possibly because what the electorate was expecting was a debate between two candidates for Vice-President, not the raw materials for some arcane calculation of who exceeded whose expectations.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Rudi Völler standing in thoughtful meditation with his hands on his hips in the immediate aftermath of one of the most unjust dismissals in World Cup history, while over his right shoulder, his Dutch rival Frank Rijkaard looks to be inspecting the massive grolly he had just violently expectorated and left dangling from the back of the German striker's bubble perm like a Christmas tree bauble.

The Guardian - Sport

In cultures in which saliva is not considered polluting, expectorating or breathing on something may be viewed as purificatory gestures.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Finally the liquor is taken into the mouth with a sucking noise, swirled around the tongue, brought into contact with the palate, cheek, and gums, and then drawn to the back of the mouth and up to the olfactory nerve in the nose before being expectorated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While the ballads are sung, and sometimes sung quite well, many of the up-tempo songs are expectorated: Jackson likes to show his muscle by gritting his teeth and spitting out angry half words.

The New Yorker

For Nowitzki, the occasion was complicated by a 101-degree fever and a sinus infection that had him expectorating through every nonbasketball moment.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "expectorate" when you want to specifically refer to the act of expelling saliva or mucus from the mouth or respiratory tract, often for medical or descriptive purposes.

Common error

Avoid using "expectorate" in everyday conversation. Simpler terms like "spit" or "cough up" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "expectorate" is as a verb. It describes the action of expelling substances, typically saliva or mucus, from the mouth or throat. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in contexts ranging from wine tasting to describing physical symptoms.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66.66%

Encyclopedias

8.33%

Science

8.33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "expectorate" is a verb that describes the act of expelling saliva or mucus from the mouth. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a valid word, though more suited to formal contexts, as highlighted by the examples. While grammatically correct, its usage should be considered carefully depending on the setting, with simpler alternatives like "spit" or "cough up" often being more appropriate for casual conversation. It appears commonly in News & Media and Encyclopedia sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spit

A simple and direct synonym for ejecting saliva.

spit out

Emphasizes the act of ejecting something from the mouth, often with force.

cough up

Focuses on bringing something up from the lungs or throat.

discharge phlegm

Specifically refers to the expulsion of mucus from the respiratory tract.

eject saliva

Highlights the act of throwing out saliva.

bring up mucus

Describes the act of raising mucus from the respiratory system.

hawk up

A more informal way to describe clearing the throat and expelling mucus.

clear one's throat

Refers to the act of dislodging and potentially expelling mucus.

spew

Implies a forceful ejection of something from the mouth.

vomit

Refers to ejecting stomach contents through the mouth

FAQs

What does "expectorate" mean?

"Expectorate" means to eject saliva, sputum, or other substance from the mouth. It often refers to coughing up and spitting out mucus.

When is it appropriate to use the word "expectorate"?

The word "expectorate" is best used in formal writing or medical contexts when describing the act of expelling fluids from the mouth or respiratory tract. In everyday conversation, simpler words like "spit" or "cough up" are more appropriate.

What are some synonyms for "expectorate"?

Synonyms for "expectorate" include "spit out", "cough up", "discharge phlegm", and "eject saliva", depending on the specific context.

Is "expectorate" a common word in everyday conversation?

No, "expectorate" is not a common word in everyday conversation. It's more often used in formal or medical contexts. Simpler and more direct words are generally preferred in informal settings.