Library / English Dictionary

ACHE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain

Synonyms:

ache; aching

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("ache" is a kind of...):

hurting; pain (a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "ache"):

odontalgia; toothache (an ache localized in or around a tooth)

backache (an ache localized in the back)

cephalalgia; head ache; headache (pain in the head caused by dilation of cerebral arteries or muscle contractions or a reaction to drugs)

bellyache; gastralgia; stomach ache; stomachache (an ache localized in the stomach or abdominal region)

earache; otalgia (an ache localized in the middle or inner ear)

Derivation:

ache (feel physical pain)

ache (be the source of pain)

achy (causing a dull and steady pain)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Have a desire for something or someone who is not present

Example:

I am pining for my lover

Synonyms:

ache; languish; pine; yearn; yen

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Hypernyms (to "ache" is one way to...):

hanker; long; yearn (desire strongly or persistently)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "ache"):

die (languish as with love or desire)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Sense 2

Meaning:

Feel physical pain

Example:

Were you hurting after the accident?

Synonyms:

ache; hurt; suffer

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Hypernyms (to "ache" is one way to...):

comprehend; perceive (to become aware of through the senses)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "ache"):

kill (be the source of great pain for)

prick; sting; twinge (cause a stinging pain)

twinge (feel a sudden sharp, local pain)

catch; get (suffer from the receipt of)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sentence example:

Sam and Sue ache

Derivation:

ache; aching (a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Be the source of pain

Synonyms:

ache; hurt; smart

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Hypernyms (to "ache" is one way to...):

cause to be perceived (have perceptible qualities)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "ache"):

bite; burn; sting (cause a sharp or stinging pain or discomfort)

burn (feel hot or painful)

itch (have or perceive an itch)

hunger (feel the need to eat)

thirst (feel the need to drink)

act up (make itself felt as a recurring pain)

throb (pulsate or pound with abnormal force)

shoot (cause a sharp and sudden pain in)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody's (body part) ----s

Sentence example:

Did his feet ache?

Derivation:

ache; aching (a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) Check Yes or No if the adjective applies to your pain; aching.

(BPI - Aching, NCI Thesaurus)

Bay leaf oil can be used to ease muscular aches and pain.

(Bay Leaf Oil, NCI Thesaurus)

If you've ever groaned, "Oh, my aching back!", you are not alone.

(Back Pain, NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)

When life became an aching weariness, death was ready to soothe away to everlasting sleep.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

The advice was followed readily, for the feverish symptoms increased, and her head ached acutely.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

They reduce aches and pains, fight infections, and control problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

(Drug Reactions, NIH)

You may feel pain in one area of your body, such as your back, abdomen or chest or you may feel pain all over, such as when your muscles ache from the flu.

(Pain, NIH)

Pain relievers are medicines that reduce or relieve headaches, sore muscles, arthritis, or other aches and pains.

(Pain Relievers, NIH)

Some OTC medicines relieve aches, pains and itches.

(Over-the-Counter Medicines, Food and Drug Administration)

Other symptoms may include fever, headache or body aches.

(Norovirus Infections, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)