noun
Uncommon
pang
PANG
Pang (noun) means a sudden, sharp burst of physical pain. Example: “A pang shot through her knee as she stood up.”
noun
1
A sudden, sharp burst of physical pain.
"A pang shot through her knee as she stood up."
2
A sudden, intense emotional feeling, especially of guilt, sorrow, or longing.
"He felt a pang of guilt after forgetting her birthday."
"A pang of jealousy hit her when she saw the photos."
How to use pang
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sudden stab of pain or emotion that passes quickly.
Common pairings
a pang of guilt
hunger pangs
a pang of regret
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Word forms
- Plural
- pangs
- Third person singular
- pangs
- Past tense
- panged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ shot through her knee as she stood up.
Etymology
Origin uncertain — possibly an altered form of Middle English "prange," related to words for gripping or pinching pain, and possibly connected to "prong."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for pang
See all rhymes for pang →Frequently asked questions
What does “pang” mean?
The word “pang” means a sudden, sharp burst of physical pain. In plain terms, a sudden stab of pain or emotion that passes quickly.
How do you pronounce “pang”?
“Pang” is pronounced PANG (/ˈpeɪ̯ŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “pang” in a sentence?
Here is “pang” used in a sentence: “A pang shot through her knee as she stood up.”
What is another word for “pang”?
Words with a similar meaning to “pang” include stab and twinge.
What part of speech is “pang”?
“Pang” is a noun.
Where does the word “pang” come from?
The word “pang” comes from Middle English. Origin uncertain — possibly an altered form of Middle English "prange," related to words for gripping or pinching pain, and possibly connected to "prong.".
Is “pang” a common word?
“Pang” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “pang” have?
“Pang” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden, sharp burst of physical pain.
