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Definition of heartache

heartache

/ˈhɑːrt.eɪk/
heart · ache
Plural:heartaches
•
Adjective:heartaching
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heartache Lexical Profile

heartache Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Deep emotional anguish, sorrow, or grief, especially arising from loss, disappointment, or unrequited love.

Example

"Years of financial instability and personal loss had caused the family immense heartache."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for heartache
Antonyms
View all antonyms for heartache

• Nearby Words

hearsay
hearse
heart
heartache
heartbeat
heartbreak
heartbreaker

Word Origin & Etymology

Dating back to Old English as 'heortece', the compound originally referred to literal physical pain in the chest or stomach before shifting to its figurative emotional sense during the Elizabethan era.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Heartache. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/heartache
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