Word
puke
US/ˈpjuk/
UK/pjˈuːk/
Definition
v. to vomit or be sick. It is a very informal and slightly gross word for throwing up.
v. to eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth. Often used intransitively, though it can take a direct object; carries a crude or informal tone.
Examples
“The smell of the old milk made him want to puke.”
“He spent the entire boat trip leaning over the side because the waves made him puke.”
“While medical professionals use the term 'emesis', most people in casual settings use 'puke' to describe the physical act of being sick after eating something bad.”
Examples
simple
“The smell of the old milk made him want to puke.”
contextual
“He spent the entire boat trip leaning over the side because the waves made him puke.”
complex
“While medical professionals use the term 'emesis', most people in casual settings use 'puke' to describe the physical act of being sick after eating something bad.”
Usage
Often used intransitively, but can be transitive when describing the substance produced.
Etymology
Probably imitative; or, alternatively related to Proto-Germanic pukaną (“to spit, puff”), from Proto-Indo-European bew- (“to blow, swell”). If so, then related to German pfauchen, fauchen (“to hiss, spit”), Dutch spugen (“to spit, spit up”), German spucken (“to spit, puke, throw up”), and Old English spīwan (“to vomit, spit”). More at spew. Attested as early as 1581, first mention is the derivative pukishness (“the tendency to be sick frequently”). In 1600, "to spit up, regurgitate", recorded in the Seven Ages of Man speech in Shakespeare's As You Like It.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. unicorn puke
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/puke