retch

[ rech ]

verb (used without object)

1. to make efforts to vomit.

verb (used with object)

1. to vomit.

noun

1. the act or an instance of retching.

retch

/ riːtʃ; rɛtʃ /

verb

1. intr to undergo an involuntary spasm of ineffectual vomiting; heave
2. to vomit

noun

1. an involuntary spasm of ineffectual vomiting

Word History and Origins

Origin of retch¹

1540–50; variant of reach, Old English hrǣc an to clear the throat (not recorded in ME), derivative of hrāca a clearing of the throat; compare Old Norse hrǣkja to hawk, spit

Word History and Origins

Origin of retch¹

Old English hrǣcan ; related to Old Norse hrǣkja to spit

Example Sentences

So I would drink it and go outside and retch and jump in the ocean and go back for another take.

From New York Times

On the record she punctuates that line with an exaggerated retch.

From Los Angeles Times

I thought of the shreds of gray stringy beef floating in the stew, and I wanted to retch.

From Literature

Men begin to retch again as if they were new to seafaring.

From Literature

"There's a scene in the bathroom where I'm, like, drinking a shot of Sake but it was just water. And even that was enough to make me retch."

From BBC

Related Words

• breathe
• exhale
• groan
• huff
• puff
• spew
• vomit