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
1
A sudden, brief sharp pain in part of the body.
"She felt a twinge in her back after lifting the box."
2
A brief, sharp pang of emotion, such as guilt or regret.
"He felt a twinge of guilt for forgetting her birthday."
verb
1
To experience a sudden sharp pain.
"His knee twinged every time he climbed the stairs."
How to use twinge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA quick, sharp pain — physical or emotional.
Common pairings
a twinge of pain
a twinge of guilt
a twinge of regret
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Word forms
- Plural
- twinges
- Third person singular
- twinges
- Past tense
- twinged
- Archaic forms
- twingedst, twingest, twingeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Related words
Rhymes for twinge
See all rhymes for twinge →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.
