ache
Ache (verb) means to feel a dull, ongoing pain rather than a sharp, sudden one. Example: “My legs ached after the long hike.”
How to use ache
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA lasting, dull pain — physical or emotional — as opposed to a sharp, sudden one.
Don't confuse with "ake" — that spelling is obsolete; modern English always uses "ache" for both the verb and the noun.
Word forms
ached past tense, oke past tense, aken past tense, aches plural, aches plural, aches singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My legs _____ after the long hike.
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.
Related words
Rhymes for 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.
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