tummy

Everyday

Your tummy is your stomach or belly; it is a friendly, informal word used especially with children. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and health, «tummy ache» means a pain in your belly; it can come from eating too much, worry, or an illness. «Butterflies in my tummy» means feeling nervous. A «tummy bug» is an illness that makes you sick. In PE you might lie «on your tummy». In science lessons the proper word is «stomach» (the organ that digests food), though «tummy» often means the whole belly.

Examples

• I have a tummy ache. tree →
• The baby likes lying on her tummy. tree →
• My tummy is rumbling; I'm hungry. tree →
• I had butterflies in my tummy before the show. tree →
• He stayed home with a tummy bug. tree →
• The puppy rolled over to have its tummy rubbed. tree →
• Too many sweets will hurt your tummy. tree →

Note

Plural «tummies» (y → ies). Informal; in science writing use «stomach» or «abdomen». Also «tum». If a tummy ache is very bad or will not go away, tell an adult; it may need a doctor.