ache

/eɪk/

/eɪk/

Other forms: aching; ached; aches

An ache is a dull, lingering pain. An ache in your calves after your morning jog might mean you didn't stretch enough before you started running.

You might describe your discomfort as a head ache or a stomach ache — in either case, there's a throbbing or continuous pain. A non-physical hurt can also be called an ache, and you can use the word as a verb in either case: "It feels like my heart will ache forever, since my sweet cat died." The Old English root is acan, "to suffer pain," possibly from an imitative Proto-Indo-European word that sounds like a groan.

Definitions of ache

1. noun

   a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain
   synonyms: aching

   types:

   odontalgia, toothache

   an ache localized in or around a tooth

   backache

   an ache localized in the back

   cephalalgia, head ache, headache

   pain in the head caused by dilation of cerebral arteries or muscle contractions or a reaction to drugs

   bellyache, gastralgia, stomach ache, stomachache

   an ache localized in the stomach or abdominal region

   earache, otalgia

   an ache localized in the middle or inner ear

   aerodontalgia

   pain in the teeth that results from a change in air pressure (as in flying or mountain climbing)

   cluster headache, histamine headache

   a painful recurring headache associated with the release of histamine from cells

   hemicrania, megrim, migraine, sick headache

   a severe recurring vascular headache; occurs more frequently in women than men

   sick headache

   a headache accompanied by nausea

   sinus headache

   a headache resulting from congestion or infection in the paranasal sinuses

   tension headache

   a headache located at the back of the head; usually caused by body tension resulting from overwork or psychological stress

   lumbago, lumbar pain

   backache affecting the lumbar region or lower back; can be caused by muscle strain or arthritis or vascular insufficiency or a ruptured intervertebral disc

   type of:

   hurting, pain

   a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
2. verb

   feel physical pain
   synonyms: hurt, suffer

   types:

   catch, get

   suffer from the receipt of

   twinge

   feel a sudden sharp, local pain

   prick, sting, twinge

   cause a stinging pain

   kill

   be the source of great pain for

   prick, prickle

   cause a prickling sensation

   type of:

   comprehend, perceive

   become aware of through the senses
3. verb

   be the source of pain
   synonyms: hurt, smart

   types:

   bite, burn, sear, sting

   cause a sharp or stinging pain or discomfort

   burn

   feel hot or painful

   itch

   have or perceive an itch

   hunger

   feel the need to eat

   thirst

   feel the need to drink

   act up

   make itself felt as a recurring pain

   throb

   pulsate or pound with abnormal force

   shoot

   cause a sharp and sudden pain in

   tickle, titillate, vellicate

   touch (a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements

   nettle, urticate

   sting with or as with nettles and cause a stinging pain or sensation

   twang

   twitch or throb with pain

   prickle, tingle

   cause a stinging or tingling sensation

   type of:

   cause to be perceived

   have perceptible qualities
4. verb

   have a desire for something or someone who is not present
   synonyms: languish, pine, yearn, yen

   types:

   die

   languish as with love or desire

   type of:

   hanker, long, yearn

   desire strongly or persistently