Bowels
/ˈbaʊəlz/
nounBeginnerCommonMedical
Meanings
Questions
Definitions
2 meanings1
The internal organs of the body, specifically the intestines.
/ˈbaʊəlz/
nounneutralBeginner
Medical
The intestines.
He suffered from severe bowel problems.
💡 Simply: Your insides, specifically your intestines.
More Examples
2
The surgeon operated on her bowels.
How It's Used
Medical
"The doctor examined the patient's bowels."
Informal
"I had a bad case of the bowels this morning."
2
The deepest or most inner parts of something.
/ˈbaʊəlz/
nounneutralIntermediate
General
Inmost parts or depths.
The secret was hidden in the bowels of the archive.
💡 Simply: The very center or deepest part of something.
More Examples
2
The deepest bowels of the ocean remain unexplored.
How It's Used
Figurative
"The innermost bowels of the earth."
Tip:Imagine the deepest parts of a ship – its bowels.
From Old English *boga, meaning 'belly', related to Old High German *buoh.
Historically, 'bowels' was often used in a more general sense to refer to the abdomen or internal organs.
Memory tip
Think of 'bowing' down – the bowels are deep inside.
Practice
bowellsbowelses
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written