Indigestion is a common word for discomfortA feeling of physical uneasiness or mild pain in the upper stomach area, often after eating. It can involve pain, bloatingA swollen feeling in the belly, often from gas, nausea, or heartburnBurning pain in the chest or throat from stomach acid, and is sometimes used more broadly for a stomach upset.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pronunciation

AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).

Accent: General American English

IPA: /ˌɪn.dɪˈdʒes.tʃən/

Easy pronunciation: in-di-JES-chun (approximate spelling).

Stress: Primary stress on JES; secondary stress on the first syllable.

Medical noun meaning stomach discomfort, often after eating.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Indigestion Meaning

Stomach discomfort, often after eating.

Part of speech: noun

Definition: A disorder of digestive function that causes discomfort, heartburn, or nausea.

Example: I had indigestion after eating too much spicy food.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• dyspepsia — A formal medical term for indigestion.
• stomach upset — A common, everyday way to describe mild indigestion.
• upset stomach — A natural phrase for stomach discomfort or nausea.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Indigestion Synonyms

Similar Meaning

• dyspepsia
• stomach upset
• upset stomach

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Common Mistakes

• Using indigestion for any stomach illness, when it usually means discomfort related to digestion.
• Confusing indigestion with food poisoning, which is a different condition.
• Treating heartburn as exactly the same thing as indigestion; heartburn can be a symptom of it, but not always the whole meaning.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does indigestion mean?

Indigestion means discomfort or pain in the stomach area, often after eating. It can include bloating, nausea, or heartburn.

What are common synonyms for indigestion?

Common synonyms include dyspepsia, stomach upset, and upset stomach.

Is indigestion the same as heartburn?

Not exactly. Heartburn is often a symptom of indigestion, but indigestion can include other discomfort too.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.