ache
ache Lexical Profile
ache Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A continuous or prolonged dull pain in a part of one's body.
"After spending the entire afternoon gardening, she felt a dull ache in her lower back."
A painful feeling of sorrow, longing, or emotional distress.
"Looking through old family photographs brought a familiar ache of nostalgia to his heart."
• verb
To suffer from a continuous, dull pain.
"His legs ached terribly the morning after he completed his first marathon."
To feel intense sadness, sympathy, or a strong yearning desire for something.
"After months of working abroad, she ached to return home and see her family."
Word Nuance & Usage
Unlike 'pain', which can be sudden and sharp, 'ache' specifically denotes a dull, continuous, and lingering discomfort.
• Rhymes for ache
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'acan' (verb) meaning to suffer continuous pain, and 'ece' (noun). In the 18th century, Samuel Johnson mistakenly believed the word derived from the Greek 'akhos' and altered the spelling to 'ache' for both forms.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.