Ache — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈāk/

Meaning & Definition of Ache

Ache (verb)

  1. to suffer a usually dull persistent pain
  2. to become distressed or disturbed (as with anxiety or regret)
  3. to feel compassion

Ache (noun)

  1. a usually dull persistent pain
  2. a condition marked by aching

Ache (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a sharp unpleasant sensation usually felt in some specific part of the body

    "a dull pounding ache in his head"

    similar: pain, pang, prick, shoot, smart, sting, stitch, throe, tingle, twinge
    related: discomfort, distress, soreness, tenderness, affliction, agony, anguish, misery, sufferance, suffering, torment, torture, inflammation, sore, swelling, damage, detriment, harm, hurt, injury, backache, bellyache, charley horse, colic, complaint, earache, gripe, headache, stomachache, toothache
    near: comfort, ease, easiness

Ache (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to feel or cause physical pain

    "my feet ache from all that walking"

    similar: hurt, pain, smart
    related: bite, bleed, burn, chafe, cramp, fester, itch, nag, pinch, pound, rack, sting, swell, throb, tingle, twinge, agonize, anguish, suffer, afflict, harrow, torment, torture

Related Entry: Ache (for) (verb)

Ache (for) is a different word from Ache. The synonyms below are for ache (for), not for ache.

  1. to have sympathy for

    "I ache for those people who have to spend the holidays alone"

    similar: bleed (for), commiserate (with), compassionate, condole (with), feel (for), pity, sympathize (with), yearn (over)
    related: care (for), grieve (for), sorrow (for), love, empathize (with), identify (with), tolerate, understand
    near: disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook, dislike, hate, scorn

  2. to have an earnest wish to own or enjoy

    "aching for some quiet time to himself"

    similar: covet, crave, desiderate, desire, die (for), hanker (for or after), hunger (for), itch (for), jones (for) (slang), long (for), lust (for or after), pant (after), pine (for), repine (for), salivate (for), sigh (for), thirst (for), want, wish (for), yearn (for), yen (for), set one's heart on
    related: spoil (for), adore, delight (in), dig, enjoy, fancy, groove (on), like, love, relish, revel (in), favor, prefer, admire, appreciate, cherish, prize, treasure, value
    near: abhor, abominate, despise, detest, execrate, hate, loathe, decline, refuse, reject, spurn

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Ache

The most common words with a similar meaning to Ache:

pain, pang, prick, shoot, smart, sting, stitch, throe, tingle, twinge, hurt

Related Words for Ache

discomfort, distress, soreness, tenderness, affliction, agony, anguish, misery, sufferance, suffering, torment, torture, inflammation, sore, swelling, damage, detriment, harm, injury, backache, bellyache, charley horse, colic, complaint, earache, gripe, headache, stomachache, toothache, bite

Near Antonyms of Ache

comfort, ease, easiness

Word Forms of Ache

Inflections: ached, aching

Origin & Etymology of Ache

Middle English aken, going back to Old English acan, of uncertain origin

First known use: before 12th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Ache

What does "Ache" mean?

"Ache" means to suffer a usually dull persistent pain. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to suffer a usually dull persistent pain. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Ache"?

Other words for "Ache" include pain, pang, prick, shoot, smart, sting, stitch and throe. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Ache" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Ache"?

There are 57 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Ache". Common alternatives include pain, pang, prick, shoot, smart, sting, stitch, throe, tingle and twinge.

How do you use "Ache" in a sentence?

Examples of "Ache" in a sentence: "a dull pounding ache in his head"; "my feet ache from all that walking".

Is "Ache" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Ache" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Ache"?

"Ache" is pronounced /ˈāk/.

What is the origin of the word "Ache"?

"Ache" comes from Middle English aken, going back to Old English acan, of uncertain origin. First known use: before 12th century.

What is another word for "Ache" meaning "a sharp unpleasant sensation usually felt in some specific part of the body"?

When "Ache" (noun) means a sharp unpleasant sensation usually felt in some specific part of the body, synonyms include pain, pang, prick, shoot, smart and sting.