tummy
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /tˈʌmi/
US
- /ˈtəmi/
Description
- belly
- stomach area
- lower front of the body
"Tummy" is a warm, informal word for the belly or stomach area. People often use it when speaking to children or in relaxed, everyday conversation. It can describe the part of the body that feels hungry, sore, full after a meal, or fluttery when someone is nervous or excited. Doctors usually say "abdomen" or "stomach," but "tummy" sounds gentler and more caring, as in "Does your tummy hurt?" or "My tummy feels full."
"Tummy" is a friendly, informal word for the belly or the stomach area, the part of the body between the chest and the hips. It is used most often with young children, but adults say it too in casual conversation when they want to sound gentle, playful, or caring. While "stomach" can mean one organ inside the body, "tummy" usually refers to the whole front area where people feel hunger, fullness, pain, or nervous fluttering.
You might hear it in sentences like "The baby has a full tummy," "My tummy hurts," or "I have butterflies in my tummy." In these examples, the word does not sound medical. Instead, it makes the message feel softer and more personal. That is why it is common in family speech, children's books, and everyday talk about food, feelings, and minor pain.
In formal writing or in a medical setting, people usually choose words like "abdomen" or "stomach" instead. Even so, "tummy" is a very natural English word and a useful one to know, because it appears often in daily life. It usually suggests comfort, closeness, and simple speech rather than technical detail.
Examples
- 1
Feeling better
My tummy feels much better now.
Usage
tummy is informal and often used with children or in casual speech
- 2
Stomach pain
Too much ice cream gave me a tummy ache.
- 3
Medicine
Try not to take this medicine on an empty tummy.
Phrase
on an empty tummy
before you have eaten
- 4
Baby movement
The baby rolled onto her tummy and lifted her head.
- 5
Nervous feeling
I always get butterflies in my tummy before I go on stage.
Phrase
butterflies in my tummy
a nervous feeling in your stomach
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- tummynoun
Forms
- tummiespluralnoun