ache

[ eyk ]

verb (used without object)

, ached, ach·ing.

1. to have or suffer a continuous, dull pain:

   His whole body ached.

   Synonyms: hurt

2. to feel great sympathy, pity, or the like:

   Her heart ached for the starving animals.

3. to feel eager; yearn; long:

   She ached to be the champion. He's just aching to get even.

noun

1. a continuous, dull pain (in contrast to a sharp, sudden, or sporadic pain).

ache

/ eɪk /

verb

1. to feel, suffer, or be the source of a continuous dull pain
2. to suffer mental anguish

noun

1. a continuous dull pain

Derived Forms

• ˈaching, adjective
• ˈachingly, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ache¹

before 900; (v.) Middle English aken, Old English acan; perhaps metaphoric use of earlier unattested sense “drive, impel” (compare Old Norse aka, cognate with Latin agere, Greek ágein ); (noun) derivative of the v.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ache¹

Old English ācan (vb), æce (n), Middle English aken (vb), ache (n). Compare bake , batch

Synonym Study

See pain.

Example Sentences

From the melodic Sicilian ghosts of “The Godfather” by composer Nino Rota to the aching Eastern European love theme in “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” by Wojciech Kilar, his stories ooze with musical expression.

From Los Angeles Times

But then one comes along with the boldness to suggest there’s a connection in simply feeling the ache and disappointments of life with others — somehow that’s enough.

From Los Angeles Times

But when we catch up after filming has wrapped, he tells me his teeth are aching again.

From BBC

He thought it was just aches and pains from working out in the gym.

From BBC

Everyone gets aches and pains when hiking, but your gear can help immeasurably.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• anguish
• misery
• pang
• soreness
• spasm
• twinge