adj
Common
hurting
Hurting (adj) means experiencing pain or distress, physical or emotional. Example: “He was hurting badly after the long run and could barely walk.”
adj
1
Experiencing pain or distress, physical or emotional.
"He was hurting badly after the long run and could barely walk."
"Many families in the village are hurting since the factory closed."
"After the layoffs, the whole team was hurting."
noun
1
A feeling of pain.
"After the argument there was a lot of hurting that took months to heal."
"I could hear the hurting in his voice when he talked about home."
"There was real hurting behind her calm expression."
How to use hurting
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFeeling pain, whether physical or emotional — often used informally, as in "we're hurting for cash."
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Word forms
- Plural
- hurtings
- Comparative
- more hurting
- Superlative
- most hurting
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He was _____ badly after the long run and could barely walk.
Related words
Rhymes for hurting
See all rhymes for hurting →Frequently asked questions
What does “hurting” mean?
The word “hurting” means experiencing pain or distress, physical or emotional. In plain terms, feeling pain, whether physical or emotional — often used informally, as in "we're hurting for cash.".
How do you use “hurting” in a sentence?
Here is “hurting” used in a sentence: “After the layoffs, the whole team was hurting.”
What part of speech is “hurting”?
Depending on how it is used, “hurting” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “hurting” a common word?
“Hurting” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hurting” have?
“Hurting” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: experiencing pain or distress, physical or emotional.
What is the difference between hurting and hurt?
'Hurt' can be the base verb or its past tense and often names the injury or completed action, while 'hurting' is the -ing form showing pain that is ongoing, as in 'my knee is hurting.' 'Hurting' emphasizes that the pain is happening right now.
Is hurting an adjective or a verb?
'Hurting' works as both: it is a verb form in 'she is hurting' and an adjective in 'a hurting heart.' It can also act as a noun meaning a feeling of pain.
When do you use hurting for emotional rather than physical pain?
'Hurting' covers both kinds of pain, so context decides the meaning; 'I'm really hurting' after a loss signals emotional distress, while 'my foot is hurting' is physical. The word itself does not specify which type.
What is the difference between hurting and aching?
Aching usually describes a dull, continuous pain, while hurting is a broader word for any pain, sharp or dull, physical or emotional. A tired muscle may be aching, but a fresh cut is more likely described as hurting.
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