What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
emesis
Example
The patient experienced emesis after eating contaminated food. [emesis: noun]
Example
The nurse monitored the patient's emetic response to the medication. [emetic: adjective]
vomiting
Example
The child was vomiting all night due to a stomach virus. [vomiting: gerund or present participle]
Example
The doctor prescribed an antiemetic medication to prevent vomiting. [antiemetic: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vomiting is more commonly used than emesis in everyday language, as it is more versatile and covers a wider range of contexts. Emesis is mainly used in medical contexts and may not be familiar to non-medical professionals or laypeople.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between emesis and vomiting?
Emesis is a more formal term than vomiting, as it is mainly used in medical contexts. Vomiting is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it a more common and accessible term for ESL learners to use in everyday conversations.
