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Definition of heartburn

heartburn

/ˈhɑːrtˌbɜːrn/
heart · burn
Plural:heartburns
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heartburn Lexical Profile

heartburn Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A form of indigestion felt as a painful burning sensation in the chest, caused by the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus.

Example

"Eating spicy food late at night often gives him severe heartburn."

2

American A state of acute anxiety, agitation, or displeasure over a situation.

Example

"The sudden budget cuts caused considerable heartburn among the project managers."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

heartbroken
heartbrokenly
heartbrokenness
heartburn
hearted
hearten
heartening

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English as a compound of 'heart' and 'burn', referencing the sensation of heat in the central chest near the heart, even though the discomfort originates in the esophagus.

Cite this Entry

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