# bellows

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈbɛl.oʊz/ · frequency rank #26,342

## Definitions
1. A device for delivering pressurized air in a controlled quantity to a controlled location. At its most simple terms a bellows is a container which is deformable in such a way as to alter its volume which has an outlet or outlets where one wishes to blow air.
2. Any flexible container or enclosure, as one used to cover a moving joint.
3. The lungs.
4. Flexible, light-tight enclosures connecting the lensboard and the camera back.
5. That which fans the fire of hatred, jealousy, etc.

## Etymology
From Middle English belwes, plural of belu, belwe, a northern form of beli, from Old English bæliġ, northern form of bielġ, from Proto-Germanic *balgiz. Compare German Balg. See also belly.
For the pronunciation /ˈbɛl.əs/, compare bodice, gallows.

## Easily confused with
- **below** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bellows-vs-below)
- **blows** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bellows-vs-blows)
- **bells** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bellows-vs-bells)
- **bello** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bello-vs-bellows)
- **bellow** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bellow-vs-bellows)
- **Belles** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/belles-vs-bellows)
- **bellies** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/bellies-vs-bellows)

## Common misspellings (9)
`bbellows`, `bellosw`, `bellowss`, `bellowws`, `bellwos`, `belolws`, `belows`, `blelows`, `ebllows`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/bellows