noun
pang
PANG
noun
1
A sudden, sharp burst of physical pain.
"A pang shot through her knee as she stood up."
2
A sudden, intense emotional feeling, especially of guilt, sorrow, or longing.
"He felt a pang of guilt after forgetting her birthday."
"A pang of jealousy hit her when she saw the photos."
How to Use Pang
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sudden stab of pain or emotion that passes quickly.
Common pairings
a pang of guilt
hunger pangs
a pang of regret
Word Forms
panged past tense, pangs plural, Pangs plural, pangs singular
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A _____ shot through her knee as she stood up.
Etymology
Origin uncertain — possibly an altered form of Middle English "prange," related to words for gripping or pinching pain, and possibly connected to "prong."