What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
retch
Example
The smell of the garbage made me retch. [retch: verb]
Example
She felt a sudden retch in her throat after eating the spoiled food. [retch: noun]
vomit
Example
He had to run to the bathroom to vomit after drinking too much. [vomit: verb]
Example
The doctor diagnosed her with food poisoning after she vomited several times. [vomited: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vomit is more commonly used than retch in everyday language. Vomit is a more severe and specific term, while retch is a more general term that can describe the act of trying to vomit or feeling nauseous.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between retch and vomit?
Both retch and vomit are informal terms, but vomit is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while retch is less common and typically used in informal settings.
