Hurting
/ˈhɜːrtɪŋ/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo inflict physical pain or injury on someone or something.
/ˈhɜːrtɪŋ/
To cause physical pain or injury.
The fall hurt his leg badly.
💡 Simply: Imagine you bump into a table and your toe gets owie. Hurting means something's causing that kind of owie or pain.
👶 For kids: When something makes your body feel bad, like a boo-boo.
More Examples
I accidentally hurt myself while trying to lift the heavy box.
She didn't want to hurt his feelings by telling him the truth.
How It's Used
"The fall hurt his ankle."
"She hurt her knee during the game."
To cause emotional or psychological pain or suffering.
/ˈhɜːrtɪŋ/
To cause emotional pain or distress.
His thoughtless comment hurt her feelings.
💡 Simply: Sometimes words or actions can make your feelings feel like they have a boo-boo. Hurting means making someone feel sad or upset inside.
👶 For kids: Making someone's feelings feel sad or bad.
More Examples
Breaking up with her hurt him.
The criticism hurt his self-esteem.
How It's Used
"His words hurt her deeply."
"Their breakup hurt him for a long time."
To be experiencing pain, either physical or emotional.
/ˈhɜːrtɪŋ/
Experiencing physical or emotional pain.
My back is really hurting today from lifting boxes.
💡 Simply: When you feel pain, either in your body or inside, we say you're hurting.
👶 For kids: Feeling bad or owie in your body or feelings.
More Examples
I am hurting for my friend who lost his job.
She was hurting over the breakup with her boyfriend.
How It's Used
"His head was hurting after the accident."
"She was hurting after the loss of her mother."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
hurt like hell
To experience very intense pain, either physical or emotional.
"My back hurt like hell after carrying all those groceries."
rub salt in the wound
To make a bad situation even worse by doing something that causes more pain or makes someone feel more upset.
"Telling her about the promotion was like rubbing salt in the wound after she was fired."
From Middle English hurten, hirten, from Old French hurter ('to strike, push, or hit'), of uncertain origin.
The word 'hurt' has been used since the Middle Ages to describe both physical and emotional pain.
Memory tip
Imagine a hammer hitting your thumb - that's hurting!