stomach - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
stomach Word Meanings
- the organ in the body that digests food
- a feeling of hunger
- to have a strong dislike for something
stomach Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
stomach Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈstʌmək/
US
/ˈstʌmək/
stomach Word Etymology
stomach = stomachus (Latin) = from Greek stomachos (from stoma meaning mouth) → Old French estomac → English. Imagine a hungry person's stomach growling like a monster's roar, showcasing its role in digestion.
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 InputEnglish Brain Route
First I settle my shoulders, place my hands on my stomach, and breathe in slow. I move my seat a touch, tilt my hips, and feel the stomach shift as I adjust. The steady effort grows into a rhythm, and I tell myself to keep going even when the day feels heavy. When I finish the task, the stomach loosens just enough to let me set my mind on what comes next.
Real Context
Stomach is the organ in the body that digests food, nestled in the upper abdomen. In everyday English, the word also appears in expressions about hunger and appetite, such as a stomach growling when you’re hungry or a stomach ache when something hurts. The verb form to stomach something means to tolerate or endure something undesirable, and a sentence like I can’t stomach that idea signals strong dislike. Learners often confuse stomach with belly or abdomen, or treat it as exclusively medical vocabulary. Its etymology traces from Latin stomachus via Greek stomachos to Old French estomac before entering English, and pronunciation stresses the first syllable STO-mach.
Usage Reminders
- Use stomach for the organ and for appetite; say cannot stomach something for strong dislike; describe pain with stomachache; use stomach growling for hunger; avoid using stomach when referring to the entire belly; practice phrases with eat, digest, and digestion.
Common Misconceptions
- Think stomach is only about pain, not appetite or tolerance.
- Confuse stomach with belly or abdomen in formal contexts.
- Forget that to stomach means to tolerate, not simply to digest.
- Assume stomach refers to emotions as a synonym for mood.
- Spell check confusion with stomach vs stomachs vs estomak.
Thinking Differences
In English, stomach has both a biological meaning and common idioms about appetite and tolerance; learners often treat it as only medical. Tactics: link to body diagrams, memorize key phrases, and practice negations like I can’t stomach that with different topics.
Learning Tips
- Learn common collocations with the organ: stomach acid, stomach lining, stomach ache.
- Practice the verb can’t stomach in formal and informal contexts.
- Compare with belly for casual speech.
- Record yourself saying phrases to reinforce stress.
- Read medical and cooking contexts to see different uses.
- Play quick flashcards linking anatomy to everyday phrases.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'stomach'?
A.A type of tree found in the jungle
B.A small bone in the leg
C.A large muscular organ in the body
D.A type of fish found in the ocean
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses 'stomach' correctly?
A.He stubbed his toe and it hurt his stomach.
B.I couldn't eat much because I had a stomach bug.
C.She has a big stomach tree in her backyard.
D.The stomach swam gracefully in the ocean.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which of the following is a synonym for 'stomach'?
A.Brain
B.Intestine
C.Heart
D.Lung
Step 4: Opposite Words
In what real-world situation would you use the word 'stomach'?
A.Discussing a scientific experiment
B.Ordering food at a restaurant
C.Playing a musical instrument
D.Fixing a car engine
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a time when having a strong 'stomach' would be important?
A.At a comedy show
B.While reading a scary book
C.During a challenging workout
D.While doing a crossword puzzle
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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