bellow

verb

bel·​low ˈbe-(ˌ)lō 

bellowed; bellowing; bellows

intransitive verb

1

: to make the loud deep hollow sound characteristic of a bull

2

: to shout in a deep voice

transitive verb

: bawl

bellows the orders

bellow noun

Synonyms

• boom
• growl
• roar
• thunder

Examples of bellow in a Sentence

He bellowed at her to come over at once.

He was bellowing into the phone, giving orders to one of his employees.

The sergeant was bellowing orders.

Recent Examples on the Web

Because the cardinals are sequestered during a conclave, black or white smoke is used to represent the cardinals' decisions for the day, bellowing from a Sistine Chapel chimney. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 8 May 2025

The energy at the midnight Cannes screening was particularly electric, with the crowd screaming and bellowing before the film had even begun. —Rachel Handler, Vulture, 2 May 2025

Detroit’s four-point lead increased, as did Thibodeau’s blood pressure, and the coach bellowed his final timeout. —Fred Katz, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

This often results in a showdown of bellowing and roaring. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English belwen, from Old English bylgian; akin to Old English & Old High German bellan to roar

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for bellow

• cello
• fellow
• jello
• mellow
• melo
• velo
• marshmallow
• morello
• othello
• schoolfellow
• portobello
• violoncello

Kids Definition

bellow

verb

bel·​low ˈbel-ō 

: to make a deep loud roar like that of a bull

bellow noun

Biographical Definition

Bellow

biographical name

Bel·​low ˈbe-(ˌ)lō 

Saul 1915–2005 American (Canadian-born) writer