regurgitate
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /rɪˈɡɜːrdʒɪteɪt/
KK: /rɪˈgɜr dʒɪˌteɪt/
intransitive verb
Definition
To bring food back up from the stomach to the mouth, often after swallowing it.
Example
The bird will regurgitate food to feed its young.
Tense Forms
Past: regurgitated
Past Participle: regurgitated
Conversation
Did you see how the water in the river started to regurgitate after the rain?
Yeah, it was wild! I've never seen it do that before.
It was almost like the river was alive, rushing back with all that extra water.
Totally! Nature can be so dramatic sometimes.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
surge
spout
flow
Antonyms
drain
recede
diminish
transitive verb
Definition
To bring food back up from the stomach, especially after it has been partially digested.
Example
The bird will regurgitate food to feed its young.
Tense Forms
Past: regurgitated
Past Participle: regurgitated
Conversation
I saw that documentary about how some animals regurgitate their food.
Yeah, it's fascinating how they do that to feed their young.
I can't imagine having to regurgitate my meals like that.
Root Explanation
Regurgitate → It is formed from "re-" (meaning again) and "gurgitare" (meaning to flow or to flood). The word describes the act of flowing or bringing back food that has been swallowed, as in the case of certain animals.
Memory Tip
Think of something flowing back 'again' ('re-') — that's why regurgitate means to bring something back up.
Visually Confused Words
egurgitate
unregurgitated
ingurgitate
reagitate