# belt out

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/belt-out
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to sing or play a musical instrument very loudly and with a lot of energy.

For teachers: to perform a song or piece of music with great volume and vigour; typically used in the context of vocal performance or brass instruments.

## Examples

- She loves to belt out songs in the shower.
- The crowd began to belt out the national anthem as the players walked onto the field.
- Despite her lack of formal training, she could belt out Broadway show tunes with a power that filled the entire theatre.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He belted out to the song." but "He belted out the song." — this is a transitive phrasal verb, so the song is the direct object and does not need the preposition 'to'.

## Usage notes

- usually takes a song, a tune, or a lyric as its direct object.
- Teaching tip: the word 'belt' suggests the physical force of the breath coming from the diaphragm; it is almost always used for loud, enthusiastic singing rather than quiet or sad music.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.