What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bellow
Example
The lion let out a mighty bellow to assert its dominance. [bellow: noun]
Example
He bellowed at the top of his lungs, demanding everyone's attention. [bellowed: past tense verb]
roar
Example
The lion let out a fierce roar, sending chills down everyone's spines. [roar: noun]
Example
The crowd roared with excitement as their team scored a goal. [roared: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Roar is more commonly used than bellow in everyday language. Roar is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while bellow is less common and more specific to animal sounds or forceful shouts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bellow and roar?
Both bellow and roar are informal words, but roar is more commonly used in both formal and informal contexts due to its versatility.