bellow
BEL-oh
/ˈbel.əʊ/
To emit a deep, loud, hollow sound, typical of a bull or an angry, powerful person.
Implies a deep-pitched, resonant, and often aggressive sound. It is typically associated with masculine anger, physical exertion, or animalistic power.
The story behind the word. The word 'bellow' traces back to Middle English 'belwen', which was likely an imitative word mimicking the deep, resonant sound of a bull. It has remained a staple of English literature to describe the raw, unbridled vocal power of beasts and angry men alike.
Word relationships
- roar: Roar is more prolonged and less focused on a specific verbal message than bellow.
- boom: Boom emphasizes a deep, echoing quality without necessarily implying anger or vocalization.
- whisper: Whisper is the quietest form of vocalization, using breath rather than vocal cords.
- mumble: Mumble involves speaking quietly and unclearly, the opposite of a clear, loud bellow.
Commonly confused with
- bellows: Bellows (noun, plural) is a device used for blowing air into a fire, though etymologically related.
Word family
- bellowed (verb (past)): Shouted in a deep, loud voice.
- bellowing (noun/adjective): The act of making a deep, loud roar; emitting such a sound.
Collocations
- bellow in pain
- bellow with rage
- bellow orders
- a deep bellow
Example sentences
- "The captain had to bellow his orders over the howling wind to be heard by the crew." A classic literary description of a captain commanding his crew during a storm.
- "We heard the bull bellow in the distance, warning other males to stay away from his territory." Describing the sound of a large animal in the wild.
Memory hook
Think of a giant yellow bull that likes to bellow when it sees a red cape. Bellow like a bull.
When not to use
Do not use for high-pitched sounds or soft, whiny complaints. Use screech or whimper instead.
Fun facts
- The mechanical device 'bellows' shares an origin, as both words relate to the forceful expulsion of air.
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