belly out (C1)
verb
Pronunciation: ˈbɛli aʊt
Definition
Swell or bulge outward like a filled container or fabric.
Examples
The curtains belly out whenever the window is left open.
His shirt seemed to belly out because of the strong breeze.
The spinnaker sail belled out perfectly, catching the morning gust.
How to Use belly out
- belly out with (prepositional phrase)
- to swell due to being filled with something — "The canvas bags belled out with the weight of the grain."
- belly out in (prepositional phrase)
- to swell within a specific environment or wind — "The sails belled out in the freshening breeze."
Synonyms of belly out
Words with a similar meaning to belly out:
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