pot-belly

A man with a pot-belly sits comfortably in an armchair.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A protruding abdomen: "pot-belly" refers to a swollen or distended stomach that bulges outward, often due to excess fat or fluid accumulation.
   • A person with such a stomach: It can also refer to a person who has a protruding belly.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • After years of heavy drinking, he developed a noticeable pot-belly. (A protruding abdomen caused by lifestyle factors.)
  • The old man was known in the village as a friendly pot-belly. (A person with a large, round stomach.)

Advanced Usage

• "to have a pot-belly": to possess a large, round stomach.

  • Many middle-aged men develop a pot-belly due to poor diet and lack of exercise. (They acquire a protruding abdomen.)

• "pot-bellied stove": a type of stove with a rounded, bulging shape, reminiscent of a pot-belly.

  • The cabin was heated by an old pot-bellied stove. (A stove with a swollen metal body.)

Variants and Related Words

• Pot-bellied (adj): having a pot-belly.

  • The pot-bellied pig waddled across the yard. (The pig had a large, round stomach.)

• Potbelly (n): an alternative spelling, often used interchangeably.

  • He tried to hide his potbelly under a loose shirt. (His protruding stomach.)

Synonyms

• Belly: the stomach area, often used informally.
• Paunch: a formal term for a large or protruding belly.
• Spare tire: a colloquial term for excess fat around the waist.

Related Idioms

• A beer belly: a protruding stomach attributed to excessive beer consumption.

  • He developed a beer belly from years of drinking ale. (A pot-belly caused by beer.)

• Middle-age spread: weight gain around the abdomen in middle-aged people.

  • She blamed her pot-belly on middle-age spread. (Age-related abdominal fat.)