ache
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for ache, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To feel a dull, ongoing pain rather than a sharp, sudden one.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use ache
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English acan (the verb) and æce (the noun), going back to a very old Germanic root meaning "to hurt." The two spellings merged over time, partly because an 18th-century dictionary writer mistakenly linked the word to a similar-sounding Greek word for pain.
Full origin of ache →Frequently asked questions
What does “ache” mean?
The word “ache” means to feel a dull, ongoing pain rather than a sharp, sudden one. In plain terms, a lasting, dull pain — physical or emotional — as opposed to a sharp, sudden one.
How do you pronounce “ache”?
“Ache” is pronounced AYK (/ˈeɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “ache” in a sentence?
Here is “ache” used in a sentence: “My legs ached after the long hike.”
What part of speech is “ache”?
Depending on how it is used, “ache” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “ache” come from?
The word “ache” dates back to around 1700 and comes from Old English.
Is “ache” a common word?
“Ache” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “ache” have?
“Ache” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to feel a dull, ongoing pain rather than a sharp, sudden one.