Oh, the confusion that can arise from just one tiny letter! Bellow and below may look similar at first glance, but their pronunciation and meaning couldn’t be more different. Let’s talk about how you can use bellow vs. below correctly, so you never have to face your English teacher bellowing at you while you hide below your desk!

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Bellow vs. Below at a Glance

• Bellow is a verb that describes emitting a loud, deep sound, often out of anger or frustration. It can also be used as a noun referring to the sound of a roar or a booming shout. 
• Below is an adverb referring to something that is at a lower level, underneath, or in a lower position compared to something else.

When To Use Bellow

When you want to describe a mighty roar echoing through the air, a sound so powerful it could move mountains, choose the noun bellow. The sound of a bellow has a tone and a reverberation that grabs your attention and makes it hard to ignore. 

You can also use the term as a verb to represent the action of letting out a loud, deep cry, shout, or roar. Imagine a lion bellowing – that’s the power we’re talking about here!

When it comes to pronunciation, bellow emphasizes the first syllable: “BELL-oh.”

Bellow Examples

• The commanding bellow of the male bison could be heard echoing across the park, startling visitors with its deep resonance. (noun)
• The angry bear began to bellow loudly in the forest, sending nearby hikers running for safety. (verb)

When To Use Below

Use the term below as an adverb or preposition. As either part of speech, below describes something that is at a lower level, beneath, or under something else. 

Below can also mean something is lower in rank, degree, amount, or rate, such as when we talk about temperatures being below zero.

You pronounce below as “bee-LOW,” emphasizing the second syllable.

Below Examples

• A bird flies below the tree canopy. (Adverb describing “flies”)
• The lake stretches through the valley below the towering mountains. (Preposition showing the position of the lake.)
• His position as an unpaid intern placed him below the status of a full-time employee. (Describes a lower rank.)

How To Remember Bellow vs. Below

Single “l?” Double “ll?” (What the “l”?) Use these visual tricks to choose bellow vs. below correctly every time.

• Bellow has two “l’s,” like yell and bell, which also make sounds.
• Below looks like the two words be and low, which is what you’d do if you were looking below something. 

If the English language makes you want to bellow in frustration, always keep these resources on hand to help you remember the trickiest word pairs.

👉 BUY – Commonly Misspelled and Confused Words QuickStudy Laminated Reference Guide
An excellent tool for high school and college students.

👉 BUY – Commonly Confused Words Poster – Homophones Chart
Perfect for classroom walls or children’s study areas.

And don’t forget to check out our Confusing Words guides, where we do a deep dive into commonly confused words so you can confidently learn how to use them.