noun
Uncommon
heartache
HAH-tayk
Heartache (noun) means Deep emotional pain or sorrow, especially from losing or being separated from someone you love. Example: “Years after the divorce, she still felt a twinge of heartache when she saw his photos.”
noun
1
Deep emotional pain or sorrow, especially from losing or being separated from someone you love.
"Years after the divorce, she still felt a twinge of heartache when she saw his photos."
"The song is about the heartache of watching someone you love move on."
How to use heartache
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe lasting sadness you feel over lost love or a painful loss — more drawn-out than a single stab of grief.
Common pairings
cause heartache
the heartache of losing someone
spare yourself the heartache
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Word forms
- Plural
- heartaches
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Years after the divorce, she still felt a twinge of _____ when she saw his photos.
Etymology
From Old English roots meaning simply "heart" plus "ache" — a very old, literal way of describing emotional pain as if it were a physical pain in the chest.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for heartache
See all rhymes for heartache →Frequently asked questions
What does “heartache” mean?
The word “heartache” means deep emotional pain or sorrow, especially from losing or being separated from someone you love. In plain terms, the lasting sadness you feel over lost love or a painful loss — more drawn-out than a single stab of grief.
How do you pronounce “heartache”?
“Heartache” is pronounced HAH-tayk (/ˈhɑːteɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “heartache” in a sentence?
Here is “heartache” used in a sentence: “Years after the divorce, she still felt a twinge of heartache when she saw his photos.”
What part of speech is “heartache”?
“Heartache” is a noun.
Where does the word “heartache” come from?
The word “heartache” comes from Old English. From Old English roots meaning simply "heart" plus "ache" — a very old, literal way of describing emotional pain as if it were a physical pain in the chest.
Is “heartache” a common word?
“Heartache” is an uncommon word in modern English.
