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What's the correct verb to describe the action of a hungry person's stomach making some noise?

For example:

I hadn't had breakfast and lunch, so this meeting was a huge embarrassment for me as my stomach was constantly _________________ to everyone's amusement, but I couldn't do anything about it.

brilliant
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  • Just FYI, in most of the US (at least among groups other than perhaps adolescent males and drunks) one's stomach growling would not be cause for everyone's delight. Most people would politely ignore it. – jamesqf Jan 01 '20 at 04:31
  • @jamesqf - Thanks. I wonder if the word "delight" is the right one here. My original choice of words was "to everyone's fun" and what I meant by it was that everyone around was giggling, but later my question was edited and "fun" was changed to "delight". Using the word "delight" strikes me more like implying that people really enjoyed the sound of growling coming from my stomach, rather than found that funny. – brilliant Jan 01 '20 at 05:53
  • The technical term is “borborygmi”, but it’s not commonly used in casual English. – RBarryYoung Jan 02 '20 at 23:06
  • @jamesqf I can certainly be privately amused while being outwardly professional. If I knew the person well, I would probably tease them goodnaturedly after the meeting. If the meeting was very casual and everyone knew each other well, I might mention it as it happened too! If I didn't know the person well I'd ignore it. – CJ Dennis Jan 02 '20 at 23:13

3 Answers3

41

In normal English you would use "Stomach rumble", though "growl" is also possible. You can also use "rumble" as a verb and say "my stomach is rumbling".

There seems to be some difference in dialect (common for such things), and "rumble" is more common in British English, whereas "growl" is more American. Also "rumble" is a more friendly sounding word, and would be more common when talking to children, but "growl" would be more appropriate for writing for adults.

There are a couple of medical terms (peristaltic sound, borborygmus) but only doctors will understand those, so don't use them (even though the second is an excellent word to say).

James K
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    Yes, we should start using the second one. – Mr Lister Dec 31 '19 at 12:00
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    Can I say, "My stomach was rumbling"? – brilliant Dec 31 '19 at 13:24
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    Some people also same stomachs 'grumble' or 'gurgle'. Generally grumble is associated with hunger, as if your stomach is grumbling/complaining about missing a meal. Gurgle is loosely associated with the sounds your stomach makes when having an upset stomach, although it is used in other cases too. – Meg Dec 31 '19 at 19:39
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    @brilliant: yes, "My stomach was rumbling" is perfect. – TonyK Jan 01 '20 at 16:43
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    @brilliant, if you say your stomach is "rumbling" it might be understood to imply you're about to be sick. – The Photon Jan 01 '20 at 17:50
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    “Growl” is the only one of those I’ve ever heard in my 65 years as an American. – WGroleau Jan 01 '20 at 17:52
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    @Meg a stomach might grumble if it didn't like something you ate. The rumble is a good answer. The stomach rumbles before you eat but might grumble about the crumble you ate. – Weather Vane Jan 01 '20 at 18:41
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    @ThePhoton I've only ever heard "rumbling" used for hungry noises. For sickness, "churning", "upset", or "queasy" would make more sense. – wjandrea Jan 01 '20 at 20:31
  • To quote Winnie The Pooh: "There's a Rumbly in My Tumbly". – user2121 Jan 03 '20 at 13:34
40

The word/verb you are looking for is growl. Your stomach growls when you are hungry.

I hadn't had breakfast and lunch, so this meeting was a huge embarrassment for me as my stomach was constantly growling to everyone's amusement, but I couldn't do anything about it.

Added note: The question is concerned about a colloquial and everyday language; hence, growl is my choice. Rumbling is specific to the stomach's character and may be used in examining a person. Typically, on a lighter note, when you are hungry, stomach growling suits better.

Maulik V
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    I've never heard this usage. – Lightness Races in Orbit Jan 02 '20 at 15:51
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    @LightnessRaceswithMonica It doesn't matter whether you've personally heard it or not. There's an American user who states this is the only way they've ever heard it. That is irrelevant too. The word is correct, however, this answer implies its the only correct word when there are many alternatives. – CJ Dennis Jan 02 '20 at 23:15
  • @CJDennis You'll find plenty of people on this site adding their own experience on whether they've heard a phrase or not. But I'm sorry to have offended you and will ensure not to bother you with my irrelevant, immaterial comments in the future. – Lightness Races in Orbit Jan 03 '20 at 12:34
  • @LightnessRaceswithMonica My intent is not to offend. A single data point, no matter who it comes from, is irrelevant. It's only when we collect thousands of data points that meaningful patterns can be discerned. What value does it provide to anyone how I say a thing? What right do I have to hold myself up as especially typical? – CJ Dennis Jan 03 '20 at 12:40
  • @CJDennis This doesn't seem like a particularly useful comment thread – Lightness Races in Orbit Jan 03 '20 at 13:26
3

There are many ways to say this:

  • My stomach is rumbling.

    rumble (verb)

    1. To make a low, heavy, continuous sound.

      If I don't eat, my stomach will rumble.

  • My stomach is grumbling.

    grumble (verb)

    1. To make a low, growling or rumbling noise, like a hungry stomach or certain animals.

  • My stomach is growling.

    growl (verb)

    1. To utter a deep guttural sound, as an angry animal; to give forth an angry, grumbling sound.
    2. (jazz) Of a wind instrument: to produce a low-pitched rumbling sound.

  • My stomach is gurgling.

    gurgle (verb)

    Etymology

    Back formation from Middle English gurguling "a rumbling in the belly".

  • My stomach is making noises.

CJ Dennis
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