noun

twinge

twihnj

Twinge (noun) means a sudden, brief sharp pain in part of the body. Example: “She felt a twinge in her back after lifting the box.”

noun

A sudden, brief sharp pain in part of the body.

"She felt a twinge in her back after lifting the box."

A brief, sharp pang of emotion, such as guilt or regret.

"He felt a twinge of guilt for forgetting her birthday."

verb

To experience a sudden sharp pain.

"His knee twinged every time he climbed the stairs."

How to use twinge

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA quick, sharp pain — physical or emotional.

Common pairings

a twinge of pain a twinge of guilt a twinge of regret

Word forms

twinged past tense, twinge plural, twinged plural, twinges plural, twinges singular, twinge singular, twinged singular, twingedst singular, twingest singular, twingeth singular

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She felt a _____ in her back after lifting the box.

Etymology

From Old English twenġan ("to pinch, squeeze"), an old Germanic verb related to the idea of a sharp pinching sensation.

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for twinge

Inge singe hinge binge tinge fringe cringe syringe

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Frequently asked questions

What does “twinge” mean?

The word “twinge” means a sudden, brief sharp pain in part of the body. In plain terms, a quick, sharp pain — physical or emotional.

How do you pronounce “twinge”?

“Twinge” is pronounced twihnj (/twɪnd͡ʒ/ in IPA).

How do you use “twinge” in a sentence?

Here is “twinge” used in a sentence: “She felt a twinge in her back after lifting the box.”

What part of speech is “twinge”?

Depending on how it is used, “twinge” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “twinge” come from?

The word “twinge” comes from Old English. From Old English twenġan ("to pinch, squeeze"), an old Germanic verb related to the idea of a sharp pinching sensation.

How many meanings does “twinge” have?

“Twinge” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden, brief sharp pain in part of the body.