bellyache

1 of 2

noun

bel·​ly·​ache ˈbe-lē-ˌāk 

: pain in the abdomen and especially in the stomach : stomachache

bellyache

2 of 2

verb

bellyached; bellyaching; bellyaches

intransitive verb

: to complain whiningly or peevishly : find fault

bellyacher noun

Synonyms of bellyache

Noun

• cramps
• stomachache

Verb

• complain
• scream
• whine

Examples of bellyache in a Sentence

Noun

He ate too much chili and it gave him a bellyache.

Verb

He was bellyaching about how long it took to get a table at the restaurant.

tired of the kids bellyaching every time they're asked to mow the lawn or take out the trash

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

These are the things that give Texas coach Sean Miller a bellyache, and the has been not uncommon this season. — Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 3 Jan. 2026

The play then folds itself in half, like a man with a bellyache. — Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 2 Oct. 2025

Verb

Many of the same people who take to social media on fall Saturdays to gripe about a golden retriever will return the very next day to bellyache about the prevalence of Cowboys/Giants/Eagles/Commanders games on their screens. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2026

In the lead-up to The Odyssey’s release, certain corners of the internet bellyached endlessly about the creative license Christopher Nolan exercised, much of it under the guise of historical accuracy. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1547, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1881, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bellyache

• awake
• backache
• beefsteak
• betake
• cheesecake
• cupcake
• daybreak
• earthquake
• forsake
• gouache
• handshake
• headache

Kids Definition

bellyache

1 of 2 noun

bel·​ly·​ache ˈbel-ē-ˌāk 

: pain in the abdomen and especially in the stomach : stomachache

bellyache

2 of 2 verb

: to complain in a whining or irritable way

kept bellyaching about the wait

bellyacher noun

Medical Definition

bellyache

noun

bel·​ly·​ache ˈbel-ē-ˌāk 

: pain in the abdomen and especially in the stomach : stomachache