heartburn
Heartburn (noun) means a burning sensation in the chest caused by stomach acid rising into the throat. Example: “Spicy food always gives him terrible heartburn.”
How to use heartburn
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA burning feeling in the chest after eating, or (informally) irritation and stress.
Heartburn is not related to the heart medically — it's a digestive issue caused by acid reflux.
Word forms
heartburns plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Spicy food always gives him terrible _____.
Etymology
From Middle English words for "heart" and "burn" — the sensation sits near where the heart is, even though it's actually caused by stomach acid.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “heartburn” mean?
The word “heartburn” means a burning sensation in the chest caused by stomach acid rising into the throat. In plain terms, a burning feeling in the chest after eating, or (informally) irritation and stress.
How do you pronounce “heartburn”?
“Heartburn” is pronounced HAHT-burn (/ˈhɑɹtˌbɝn/ in IPA).
How do you use “heartburn” in a sentence?
Here is “heartburn” used in a sentence: “Spicy food always gives him terrible heartburn.”
What part of speech is “heartburn”?
“Heartburn” is a noun.
Where does the word “heartburn” come from?
The word “heartburn” comes from Middle English. From Middle English words for "heart" and "burn" — the sensation sits near where the heart is, even though it's actually caused by stomach acid.
How many meanings does “heartburn” have?
“Heartburn” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a burning sensation in the chest caused by stomach acid rising into the throat.