How Do You Spell YELLOWBELLIED?

Pronunciation: [jˈɛlə͡ʊbˌɛlɪd] (IPA)

The word "yellowbellied" is a compound adjective used to describe someone who is cowardly or lacking in courage. The phonetic transcription of the word is /ˈjɛl.oʊˌbɛl.id/, with the stress on the second syllable. The spelling of the word follows the standard English orthography, with the "yel" representing the sound /jɛl/ and the "ow" representing the diphthong /oʊ/. The "-ed" at the end of the word indicates that it is a past participle form of the verb "yellowbelly," which means to show cowardice or fear.

YELLOWBELLIED Meaning and Definition

  1. "Yellowbellied" is an adjective that refers to a person who lacks courage or is easily intimidated. This term is often used to describe individuals who are cowardly or hesitant in facing difficult or dangerous situations. The word is derived from the imagery of a yellow or pale color resembling a person's stomach or belly, which is associated with fear or weakness.

    Typically used colloquially or informally, "yellowbellied" suggests a person's tendency to retreat from challenges or to avoid confrontation. It implies an individual's inclination to act in a timorous manner rather than confronting fears or standing up for their beliefs. A yellowbellied person may exhibit signs of being easily frightened, anxious, or overly cautious.

    The term can also be used metaphorically to describe behavior that lacks courage or determination. It is often applied to situations or actions that are seen as displaying cowardice or a lack of backbone. For instance, a yellowbellied decision may refer to a choice made out of fear rather than based on sound judgment or conviction.

    In summary, "yellowbellied" is an adjective used to describe someone who lacks bravery, resolve, or the ability to face challenging situations or conflicts head-on. The term conveys a perception of weakness, indicating a tendency to retreat or avoid confrontation rather than facing fears or difficulties directly.

Common Misspellings for YELLOWBELLIED

  • yellobellied
  • tellowbellied
  • gellowbellied
  • hellowbellied
  • uellowbellied
  • 7ellowbellied
  • 6ellowbellied
  • ywllowbellied
  • ysllowbellied
  • ydllowbellied
  • yrllowbellied
  • y4llowbellied
  • y3llowbellied
  • yeklowbellied
  • yeplowbellied
  • yeolowbellied
  • yelkowbellied
  • yelpowbellied
  • yeloowbellied
  • yelliwbellied

Etymology of YELLOWBELLIED

The word "yellowbellied" is a compound term composed of two parts: "yellow" and "bellied".

The term "yellow" comes from the Old English word "geolu", which means the color yellow. Over time, it developed into the Middle English word "yelow", and eventually became the modern English word "yellow".

The term "bellied" is derived from the Old English word "bælȳȳd", which means having a belly or abdomen. This word evolved into Middle English as "bellied".

When combined, "yellow" and "bellied" create the adjective "yellowbellied", which figuratively refers to a person who lacks courage or is cowardly. The yellow color is associated with weakness, perhaps because yellow can be seen as a less assertive or vibrant color compared to red or black.

Idioms with the word YELLOWBELLIED

  • yellowbellied The idiom "yellowbellied" is used to describe someone who is cowardly or lacking in courage.