Bellys or Bellies: Which Spelling Is Correct? 2026

If you’ve ever wondered whether to write bellys or bellies, you’re not alone.The correct spelling is bellies; bellys is incorrect. Many people get confused when forming the plural of belly, the word for the stomach. Some writers type bellys thinking it’s a simple “add s” rule, while others go with bellies. This spelling question pops up in emails, blogs, school assignments, and social media posts.

Understanding the correct spelling is important for professional writing and grammar confidence. This article clears up the confusion, explains why the word changes spelling, compares British and American English usage, and gives practical examples. By the end, you’ll know which form is correct, when to use it, and common mistakes to avoid.
Hint: the plural is not formed by just adding “s” to the singular.

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Bellys or Bellies – Quick Answer

Correct plural: bellies ✅
Incorrect plural: bellys ❌

Examples:

• Correct: The babies’ bellies were full after lunch.
• Incorrect: The babies’ bellys were full after lunch.

Rule: Words ending in -y after a consonant change the “y” to i and add -es.

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The Origin of Bellies

• The word belly comes from Old English belg or belga, meaning a bag or pouch.
• Over time, it evolved to mean the stomach area.
• English spelling rules dictate that nouns ending in -y after a consonant form plurals by changing y → ies, e.g., city → cities, puppy → puppies, belly → bellies.

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British English vs American English Spelling

Both British and American English follow the same rule here:

Word	British English	American English
Plural of belly	bellies ✅	bellies ✅
Common mistake	bellys ❌	bellys ❌

👉 Unlike some words (colour vs color), this spelling does not change between UK and US.

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Which Spelling Should You Use?

• USA: bellies ✅
• UK & Commonwealth: bellies ✅
• Global / SEO / Professional writing: bellies ✅

Avoid bellys in professional writing, blogs, and social media posts. It looks unpolished and incorrect.

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Common Mistakes with Bellies

• ❌ Writing bellys → ✅ Correct: bellies
• ❌ Using bellys in formal documents → ✅ Always use bellies
• ❌ Forgetting the “i” rule for consonant + y → ✅ Remember: consonant + y → ies

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Bellys or Bellies in Everyday Examples

Email:

• Please note the infants’ bellies should be checked after feeding.

Social Media:

• Look at those cute puppy bellies!

Blog / Article:

• Pregnant women often feel their bellies grow quickly in the second trimester.

Formal Writing:

• The bellies of the animals were examined by the veterinarian.

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Bellys or Bellies – Google Trends & Usage Data

Search data shows:

• Bellies is overwhelmingly more popular than bellys.
• Across English-speaking countries, bellies is the standard plural used in dictionaries, blogs, and articles.
• Bellys only appears occasionally in informal writing or misspellings.

By country:

• USA, UK, Australia → bellies dominates
• Global searches → bellies is standard

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Comparison Table: Bellys vs Bellies

Feature	Bellies	Bellys
Correct plural	✅ Yes	❌ No
Follows English rule	✅ Yes	❌ No
Used in dictionaries	✅ Yes	❌ No
Professional writing	✅ Recommended	❌ Avoid
SEO friendly	✅ High	❌ Low

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FAQs: Bellys or Bellies

1. Is “bellys” ever correct?
No, it is a common misspelling. The plural is always bellies.

2. Why do some people write “bellys”?
They apply the simple “add s” rule without remembering the consonant + y rule.

3. Does UK vs US change the spelling?
No, both use bellies.

4. What about baby animals?
Puppy bellies or kitten bellies is correct.

5. How about adjectives?
Use the plural form bellies when referring to multiple stomachs.

6. Can I write “bellys” in informal text messages?
Technically yes, but it’s a spelling mistake in standard English.

7. Is “belly’s” the same?
No. Belly’s is possessive (e.g., The belly’s shape), not plural.

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Conclusion

The plural of belly is bellies, not bellys. This follows a standard English spelling rule: when a word ends in -y after a consonant, the “y” changes to i and you add -es.

This rule is consistent in both British and American English, making bellies the correct choice worldwide. Using bellys can make your writing look careless, especially in formal documents, blogs, or social media posts.

By remembering this simple rule, you can confidently write about babies, animals, or human stomachs without second-guessing your spelling. Professional, polished writing always uses bellies, keeping your content clear, correct, and widely accepted.

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