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upset stomach

upset stomach

9 2.6
A mild pain or feeling of sickness in the stomach
  • noun
  • /ʌpˈsɛt ˈstʌmək/
translation icon : malestar estomacal
  • I have a bit of an upset stomach.
  • upset stomach and headache
  • upset stomach and indigestion
  • upset stomach and nausea

So we're experiencing things like fatigue and headache and upset stomach all the time.

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Examples

  • Harvey's been in bed all day with an upset stomach.

  • I always have peppermint tea leaves on hand to make herbal peppermint tea for an upset stomach.

    Blog text (15)
  • You know what I do when I have an upset stomach?

  • Sure enough, I had a bit of an upset stomach the next day.

    Blog text (18)
  • I've got a little upset stomach myself.

  • I think he's got an upset stomach.

  • Agnes went home early with an upset stomach.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Jamie often complains of an upset stomach and has missed several days of school this year.

    Academic text (2014)
  • Let the baby sip the peppermint water or the tea, and it will help an upset stomach within minutes.

    Blog text (15)
  • Harvey's been in bed all day with an upset stomach.

Synonyms

nausea
vsupset stomach
91 3.0

A sick feeling in your stomach that makes you want to vomit

is a mild digestive disorder that may produce this sick feeling and heartburn
indigestion
vsupset stomach
35 3.4

Stomach pain after eating, often with heartburn or feeling sick

is a mild general digestive disorder rather than only digestion difficulty
abdominal pain
vsupset stomach
33 2.5

A feeling of hurt in the stomach area between the chest and hips

is a mild digestive disorder that highlights nausea and heartburn rather than severe signals
stomachache
vsupset stomach
18 1.3

A pain in the stomach or belly that makes you uncomfortable

is a mild digestive disorder that often produces more than just pain
stomach ache
vsupset stomach
11 1.0

A pain in the stomach that makes you feel sick

is a mild digestive disturbance causing additional symptoms beyond this pain
bellyache
vsupset stomach
5 3.2

A pain in the stomach or tummy

is a broader mild digestive issue that can also cause nausea or heartburn
queasiness
vsupset stomach
3 5.8

A sick feeling in the stomach and a bit of worry

is a mild digestive disorder that involves multiple symptoms beyond that feeling
dyspepsia
vsupset stomach
  • Specialized
2 8.2

An uncomfortable pain in the upper stomach often with feeling sick or heartburn

is a general mild digestive disorder rather than a clinical term
abdominal discomfort
vsupset stomach
1 4.4

A pain or uncomfortable feeling in the stomach area

refers to a mild digestive disorder that includes other symptoms like heartburn

How Uncomfortable

gastroenteritis
  • Specialized
5 5.8
stomachache
18 1.3
upset stomach
9 2.6
indigestion
35 3.4

Surface Forms

upset stomach singular

Morphology

upset + stomach

The meaning is directly compositional: 'upset' (queasy/unwell) modifies 'stomach', so a learner who knows both words can infer digestive discomfort, nausea, or heartburn. This adjective+noun pattern is common across languages and follows normal English modification rules, making the phrase immediately understandable to B1 learners.

Etymology

Upset stomach may come from the simple image of a stomach being upset inside, as if something is not right. So it means 'feeling sick' in the stomach, with pain, nausea, or heartburn.