Ache
/eɪk/
nounBeginner📊CommonGeneral
1 meaning1 question
Definitions
1
A continuous dull pain, typically in one part of the body.
/eɪk/
nounneutralBeginner
General
A continuous dull pain
My back aches after a long day of gardening.
More Examples
2
She had a throbbing headache that wouldn't go away.
How It's Used
Medical
"He suffers from severe head aches."
Middle English: from Old French ache, ache, from late Latin acha, ache, from Greek akhos, ache, pain.
Historically, the term 'ache' has been used in medical texts to describe various forms of pain.
Memory tip
Think of a constant pain that makes you want to 'eek' out loud.
Word Origin
LanguageGreek
Original meaning
"Pain, grief"
sharp achedull acheconstant ache
Common misspellings
akeakheach
Practice
Usage
55%Spoken
45%Written