What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
barfing
Example
He couldn't hold it in any longer and started barfing in the bathroom. [barfing: verb]
Example
The smell of the rotten food made her feel nauseous, and she ended up barfing in the sink. [barfing: gerund or present participle]
vomiting
Example
After eating the spoiled food, he started vomiting uncontrollably. [vomiting: present participle]
Example
The doctor diagnosed her with a stomach virus, which caused frequent episodes of vomiting. [vomiting: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vomiting is more commonly used than barfing in medical and formal contexts. Barfing is more casual and commonly used in informal conversations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between barfing and vomiting?
While vomiting is a formal and medical term, barfing is informal and colloquial. Vomiting is appropriate in professional and formal settings, while barfing is more suitable for casual and informal conversations.
