Are you writing a character who is unwell and has bouts of vomiting? Read on to learn how to describe vomit in a story through the use of the following 10 descriptive terms.
1. Gooey
Definition
A substance that’s soft or sticky.
Examples
“Jenny held her breath as she walked past the gooey vomit. It looked like something an alien would cough up.”
“Harry heard a squelch as he sat on the bus seat. He looked down and to his dismay, he’d planted himself in some gooey vomit.”
How it Adds Description
The word “gooey” provides a clear visual image of the vomit’s texture, and this is best used to show vomit that’s particularly disgusting. “Gooey” vomit is very likely to make your characters feel unsettled, especially if they accidentally touch it. Vomit that’s “gooey” may even be hard to get out of fabrics due to its sticky consistency, and this can leave a character frustrated.
2. Putrid
Definition
Something that smells very unpleasant or has decayed.
Examples
“The smell of the child’s vomit was almost putrid, thought the bus driver. He’d never be able to get that stench out of the seats.”
“Rebecca desperately tried to wash the putrid vomit out of her hair, but the smell wouldn’t budge.”
How it Adds Description
Vomit does not have a pleasant odor, and you can emphasize its nasty smell through the adjective “putrid.” This word describes a type of smell that’s so bad it’s likened to decay, and therefore, it might make your characters feel very queasy. They’ll also likely try to escape the small if possible.
3. Watery
Definition
Something that’s pale or weak.
Examples
“The watery vomit rolled down the carriage as the train started to accelerate.”
“Emma booked a veterinarian visit because she noticed her dog’s vomit was more watery than usual.”
How it Adds Description
You can use “watery” to describe the consistency of your character’s vomit. If a character sicks up “watery” vomit, it might be because they’re drunk lots of liquids (e.g., alcohol). It might also worry them, especially if the “watery” vomit contains blood or other unusual colors.
4. Chunky
Definition
Something that’s thick or contains pieces.
Examples
“Ben gagged while looking at the chunky vomit. It was filled with random bits of food.”
“The doctor hated dealing with vomit, especially when it was chunky or filled with undigested food.”
How it Adds Description
“Chunky” also describes the consistency of vomit, and in this case, it shows that the vomit has solid pieces or a thick consistency. If a character has “chunky” vomit, it might be harder for them to sick up, and this will make being sick an extra unpleasant experience for them.
5. Multicolored
Definition
Something that contains many colors.
Examples
“Paul wished he hadn’t seen the disgusting, multicolored vomit, but now the vivid image haunted his thoughts.”
“After eating 15 different flavors of gelato, Helena’s vomit was multicolored. She’d never seen anything like it before.”
How it Adds Description
Depending on what’s in it, vomit can present in a wide range of colors. If vomit is “multicolored,” your character may have eaten a range of foods, or they might have a digestive problem. Vomit is usually one color (e.g., red, brown, green, yellow, or clear), so if you describe your fictional vomit as “multicolored,” your characters might be worried about what’s causing it.
6. Bitter
Definition
Something that tastes acidic, sour, or sharp.
Examples
“Bitter vomit rose in Jake’s throat, making him run to the nearest bathroom.”
“Olivia couldn’t stand the aftertaste that the bitter vomit left in her mouth. Not even the strongest mouthwash could release her from the grips of the gross flavor.”
How it Adds Description
“Bitter” describes the taste of the vomit, and this adjective shows that it’s very sour or acidic. This is an unpleasant taste, and it’ll likely make characters wince or feel even more ill. As it’s a strong flavor, a character might struggle to get it out of their mouth after being sick.
7. Offensive
Definition
Something that upsets others because it’s unpleasant.
Examples
“The scent of the offensive vomit lingered in the air well after it was cleared up.”
“All vomit was offensive to Martin, and there were no exceptions.”
How it Adds Description
Vomit that’s “offensive” might smell or look particularly bad, and thus, it’s more likely to upset your fictional characters. If a character finds all vomit “offensive,” they’re likely more sensitive than others to certain sights or smells. Some characters might not find vomit “offensive,” and they’re likely to be better at dealing with people who are ill.
8. Repulsive
Definition
Something that’s horrible or disgusting and makes you want to avoid it.
Examples
“Gary’s repulsive vomit cleared the movie theater in seconds.”
“If I see any repulsive vomit, I’m leaving instantly. I mean it!”
How it Adds Description
If a character finds vomit “repulsive,” it means it leaves them disgusted and wanting to get as far away from it as possible. Vomit is likely to be “repulsive” if it has a particularly strong odor or horrible look. If this occurs, your characters might leave the room or make themselves scarce until it’s cleaned up.
9. Old
Definition
Something that’s existed for a long time.
Examples
“The old vomit framed the edge of the carpet. No one would ever clean it up.”
“Henry’s local bus stop was decorated with old vomit and cigarette butts. It was gross, but it felt like home to him.”
How it Adds Description
“Old” shows that the vomit has been there for a long time, which shows that your characters aren’t bothered about clearing it up. This also implies that the characters aren’t bothered by it, showing they have a higher tolerance for disgusting smells.
10. Nauseating
Definition
Something that makes you feel sick because it’s disgusting.
Examples
“The nauseating vomit caused Melanie’s temperature to rise.”
“Ronaldo clutched the sick bag as his nauseating vomit filled the small paper container.”
How it Adds Description
The word “nauseating” shows that your fictional vomit is very unpleasant, to the point that it causes other characters to also feel ill. A nearby character may even be sick after seeing the vomit if they have a weaker stomach. This is a great way to emphasize to your reader how horrible the vomit is.