burp

Originally from American English, of imitative origin.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /bɜːp/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• (US) IPA^(key): /bɝp/
• Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)p

burp (plural burps)

1. (chiefly Canada, US) A belch.

   Lennon let out a burp after downing the beer.

   • 2011, David Foster Wallace, The Pale King, page 9:

     Sylvanshine would burp and it would seem like more than a burp; it would taste like he'd almost thrown up a little.

   • 2016, Thomas Corfield, The World Is Badly Made:

     When they approached, he turned from them and made swallowing noises indispersed with burps.

• A belch is often considered to be louder than a burp, but the usage is not precise, and both words can refer to either quiet or loud instances.

• belch

burp (third-person singular simple present burps, present participle burping, simple past and past participle burped)

1. (intransitive) To emit a burp.

   Burping is considered impolite in most western cultures.

   My dad used to burp to hide the fact he was farting.

   • 1991 September, Stephen Fry, chapter 1, in The Liar, London: Heinemann, →ISBN, section III, page 28:

     ‘[…] She burped and tried to jam the bottle into the waste-hole of the waste-disposal thing, the thingummy.’
     ‘Garburator,’ said Pigs Trotter. ‘I think they’re called Garburators.’
     ‘Garburator, that’s it. She tried to jam the bottle down the Garburator. […]’

   • 1999, Diana S. Richmond Garland, Family ministry: a comprehensive guide, page 45:

     During a burping contest to celebrate wonderfully cold soft drinks after a long hike one hot afternoon, one little girl said, "My dad can outburp any of you!" Her father is a distinguished theologian and church leader whom I will not name here.

2. (transitive) To utter by burping

   Stevie intends to burp the alphabet at the school talent show.

3. (transitive) To cause someone (such as a baby) to burp.
   • 1968, Robert Webster Watson, Why Not Have Your Second Baby First?, page 46:

     Usually baby doesn't need to be burped if (1) he consistently takes his usual amount of formula, gradually increasing his capacity as the weeks go by and (2) if he hasn't spit up when put down unburped after most feedings.

4. (transitive) To open (a container of fermenting substance) to allow the release of accumulated gas.
   • 2021, Alan Bergo, The Forager Chef's Book of Flora, page 45:

     Ferment the lemons for up to 2 weeks, opening the bag occasionally to burp it and release carbon dioxide, and reseal.

• botty burp
• burp gun

• fart
• yawn