bellow

verb

bel·​low ˈbe-(ˌ)lō 

bellowed; bellowing; bellows

intransitive verb

1

: to make the loud deep hollow sound characteristic of a bull

2

: to shout in a deep voice

transitive verb

: bawl

bellows the orders

bellow noun

Synonyms

• boom
• growl
• roar
• thunder

Examples of bellow in a Sentence

He bellowed at her to come over at once.

He was bellowing into the phone, giving orders to one of his employees.

The sergeant was bellowing orders.

Recent Examples on the Web

As the final whistle sounded, roars bellowed from the terraces and the pitch alike. —Sam Tighe, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025

Furrowed brows, smiles, shouts and tears occupied the faces of passionate protesters, who bellowed chants that echoed off the concrete sky-rise buildings. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2025

Black bellowed before revealing himself to theatergoers, who cheered and applauded in recognition. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 14 Apr. 2025

Fans bellowed every time Young took a heel-to-stage bounce down the catwalk, and Johnson’s moves were equally electrifying. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English belwen, from Old English bylgian; akin to Old English & Old High German bellan to roar

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for bellow

• cello
• fellow
• jello
• mellow
• melo
• velo
• marshmallow
• morello
• othello
• schoolfellow
• portobello
• violoncello

Kids Definition

bellow

verb

bel·​low ˈbel-ō 

: to make a deep loud roar like that of a bull

bellow noun

Biographical Definition

Bellow

biographical name

Bel·​low ˈbe-(ˌ)lō 

Saul 1915–2005 American (Canadian-born) writer