aching

[ ey-king ]

adjective

1. causing physical pain or distress:

   treatment for an aching back.

2. full of or precipitating nostalgia, grief, loneliness, etc.

Other Words From

• aching·ly adverb
• un·aching adjective
• un·aching·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of aching¹

Middle English word dating back to 1200–1250; ache, -ing ²

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

From BBC

By the time the final whistle sounded, an aching Pregnon was asked to brandish the sword and lead the USC band, an honor often bestowed upon the game’s most critical player.

From Los Angeles Times

Just like on day one, the pitch was achingly slow and played fewer tricks in terms of turn and bounce for the older ball.

From BBC

It reminds us that everybody is aching in some way and therefore deserving of forbearance.

From Salon

Related Words

• hurting
• nagging
• sore
• throbbing