retch Meaning & Definition
What Does Retch Mean?
Retch is used as a verb meaning To make or experience an unsuccessful effort to vomit; to strain or spasm, as if to vomit; to gag or nearly vomit. It is also used to mean To vomit; to make or experience a successful effort to vomit. As a noun, it means An unsuccessful effort to vomit.
Retch at a Glance
| Part of speech | verb, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ɹɛt͡ʃ// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | cast, cat and sick |
| Antonyms | keep down |
| Plural | retches |
| Verb forms | retches, retching, retched |
Retch Definition (Verb)
- To make or experience an unsuccessful effort to vomit; to strain or spasm, as if to vomit; to gag or nearly vomit.
- To vomit; to make or experience a successful effort to vomit.
Retch as a Noun
- An unsuccessful effort to vomit.
Verb
- To reck.
Verb
- Alternative form of reach.
Verb
- To make an unsuccessful effort to vomit; to strain, as in vomiting.
Verb
- To reach
Synonyms of Retch
Retch synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Retch
Retch in a Sentence
No example sentences are available for this entry.
Word Forms & Grammar
retch (third-person singular simple present retches, present participle retching, simple past and past participle retched)
retch (plural retches)
retch (third-person singular simple present retches, present participle retching, simple past and past participle retched or (obsolete) raught)
Words That Rhyme With Retch
Origin of Retch
Origin 1: From Middle English *recchen, *rechen (attested in arechen), hræcen (“to cough up”), from Old English hrǣċan (“to clear the throat, hawk, spit”), from Proto-West Germanic *hrākijan, from Proto-Germanic *hrēkijaną (“to clear one's throat”), from Proto-Indo-European *kreg- (“to caw, crow”). Cognate with Icelandic hrækja (“to hawk, spit”), Limburgish räöke (“to induce vomiting”), Bavarian reckn (“to retch, gag”) and German recken (“to retch, gag”). Also related with German Rachen (“throat”).
Origin 2: From Middle English recchen (“to care; heed”), from Old English rēċċan, variant of rēċan (“to care; reck”), from Proto-Germanic *rōkijaną (“to care”), from Proto-Indo-European *reǵ- (“straight, right, just”).
Origin 3: From Middle English recchen, from Old English reċċan (“to stretch, extend”), from Proto-West Germanic *rakkjan, from Proto-Germanic *rakjaną (“to straighten, stretch”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃roǵéyeti.
Retch Pronunciation
You say retch as //ɹɛt͡ʃ//. It has 1 syllable.
Common Questions About Retch
Is retch a verb or a noun?
Retch is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for retch?
Words with a similar meaning to retch include cast, cat and sick. See the full list of retch synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of retch?
The opposite of retch is keep down.
What is the plural of retch?
The plural of retch is retches.
What is the past tense of retch?
The past tense of retch is retched. The present participle is retching.