regurgitate - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
regurgitate Word Meanings
- to bring swallowed food back up
- to repeat information without understanding
- to spit out like a bird feeding its young
regurgitate Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
regurgitate Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/rɪˈgɜː.dʒɪ.teɪt/
US
/rɪˈgɜr.dʒɪ.teɪt/
regurgitate Word Etymology
The word 'regurgitate' comes from the Latin 'regurgitare' (re- meaning 'back' + gurgitare meaning 'to swallow'). Imagine a bird that catches a fish and, after swallowing, later brings it back up to feed its young, creating a vivid connection between swallowing and later retrieval.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Regurgitate means to bring swallowed food back up, most often by animals such as birds that feed their young, but it also describes the involuntary return of material in medical contexts. In everyday language, regurgitate is used figuratively to mean repeating information without understanding or critical thought, as when someone parrots facts they have heard without processing them. A third sense pictures the act as spitting something out exactly like a parent feeding a chick. When using regurgitate, distinguish the literal biological action from the figurative uses and avoid implying vomiting in ordinary contexts; reserve vomiting for the physical act.
Usage Reminders
- Use regurgitate for the act of bringing swallowed matter back up; you can say regurgitate food or regurgitate information; avoid using regurgitate for active vomiting; treat the figurative sense as informal; pair with a noun for clarity (regurgitate the meal, regurgitate facts); check context to keep meaning precise.
Common Misconceptions
- Confusing regurgitation with deliberate vomit.
- Assuming it always involves a physical animal action.
- Using regurgitate to mean 'repeat' without nuance of understanding.
- Mistaking it for a general synonym of 'vomit'.
- Overusing it in casual conversation where plain verbs work better.
Thinking Differences
English speakers often treat regurgitate as a vivid, image-driven term that spans biology, medicine, and metaphor. Learners may overextend the figurative sense into formal writing or confuse the medical sense with vomiting; English also commonly requires clear object usage (regurgitate food vs regurgitate information).
Learning Tips
- memorize core meanings: literal (biology/medical) vs figurative (repeat without understanding)
- note that regurgitate takes a direct object when describing food and sometimes an object when describing information
- practice with both medical texts and everyday examples
- compare with vomiting to avoid medical confusion
- use paraphrase to convey the figurative sense without sounding repetitive
- watch for collocations: regurgitate information, regurgitate a meal
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the definition of 'regurgitate'?
A.To enjoy a meal
B.To digest food properly
C.To swallow food and bring it back up
D.To cook food thoroughly
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses 'regurgitate' correctly?
A.The chef will regurgitate the delicious recipe during the cooking show.
B.During the biology class, the students were asked to regurgitate the information they had learned.
C.The cat will regurgitate its food after eating too quickly.
D.She decided to regurgitate her feelings about the situation to her friend.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'regurgitate'?
A.Ruminate
B.Dissect
C.Savor
D.Digest
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'regurgitate'?
A.Eject
B.Absorb
C.Reject
D.Release
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a situation where someone might 'regurgitate' information or substances?
A.She shared her thoughts during the meeting.
B.He digested his lunch quickly before the presentation.
C.After the car ride, the dog unexpectedly vomited on the carpet.
D.The teacher encouraged students to think critically about the material.
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