Quick answer
Bellow means to roar or shout in a deep, loud voice. It is usually pronounced BEL-oh, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Bellow
To bellow means to roar or shout in a deep, loud voice. It belongs to speech, noise, and verbal nonsense and works best in complaints about jargon, gossip, fuss, and the many noises people make with language. It still feels usable today, especially when you want a word with more character than the plainest alternative.
At a glance
speechnoiseverbal-nonsense
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
If you bellow, you to roar or shout in a deep, loud voice. The verb usually suggests something more expressive, comic, or textured than a plain everyday substitute.
Why this word feels absurd
Bellow feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Bellow is generally traced to an old Germanic word linked to roaring sounds. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Bellow is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
Example sentences
- The captain had to bellow over the engine noise.
- Someone below the window was bellowing for a taxi.
- The bull bellowed across the field at dusk.
- A voice from the back of the room bellowed, “Start again.”
When should you use this word?
Use bellow when a plain action verb feels too flat and you want the sentence to carry more motion, tone, or comic texture. It works especially well in complaints about jargon, gossip, fuss, and the many noises people make with language.
Similar words
roar, shout, yell, thunder
Opposite or contrasting words
whisper, murmur, mutter
Common questions
- What does bellow mean? To roar or shout in a deep, loud voice.
- How do you pronounce bellow? It is commonly pronounced BEL-oh.
- Is bellow still used today? Bellow is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
- When should you use bellow? Use bellow when a plain action verb feels too flat and you want the sentence to carry more motion, tone, or comic texture. It works especially well in complaints about jargon, gossip, fuss, and the many noises people make with language.
- What words are similar to bellow? Similar words include roar, shout, yell, and thunder.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.