What does retching mean?
Retching describes the bodily process of making vomiting sounds and performing the associated heaving movements. It is often used when someone feels intensely nauseated, especially when the stomach is empty and little or nothing can be brought up. The word can consequently refer both to genuine vomiting and to repeated dry attempts to vomit, as in a description of severe nausea. Retching is common in everyday speech and is also used in medical and first-aid contexts when describing symptoms of poisoning, food illness, or gastroenteritis. Its usefulness lies in distinguishing the physical act or attempt from the preceding feeling of nausea itself: a person may feel nauseated without retching, while retching usually signals a strong bodily response to nausea. The expression is vivid but not generally insulting, although it appears in descriptions of unpleasant or distressing circumstances.
verb (present participle and gerund)To make a sound and take the bodily movements associated with vomiting, especially when little or nothing is actually expelled.
- To make the sounds and perform the movements associated with vomiting, often without expelling anything.
"She turned away from the smell, retching behind a closed door."
"The child had been retching all morning after eating contaminated food."
"A uneasy feeling in her stomach led to repeated retching and dizziness."
Sometimes the body stages a full performance of vomiting, yet the final result is no more than a few dry heaves.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of retching
The base verb retch is recorded in Middle English, although its deeper origin is not securely established and has been associated with older English words concerning stretching. The modern form developed into the familiar sense of making vomiting sounds. Retching is the present participle and gerund of that verb.
How retching is actually used
The word is neutral to mildly informal in ordinary speech but is also used in clinical descriptions of nausea and vomiting. It can suggest either the complete act of vomiting or dry attempts to vomit without expelling material.
Easily confused with retching
Retching refers to the sounds and movements associated with vomiting, whereas reaching means extending a hand or arm toward something.