achenoun [ C ]
uk/eɪk/us/eɪk/B1 a continuous pain that is unpleasant but not very strong:
As you get older, you have all sorts of aches and pains.
I've got a dull (= slight) ache in my lower back.
B1 used in combinations with parts of the body to mean a continuous pain in the stated part:
earache/a headache/toothache/backache
I've had a stomach ache all morning.
More examples
- She felt a persistent ache at the back of her head.
- He's been suffering various aches and pains for years.
- No, it isn't a sharp pain - just a general ache.
- She complained of an ache in her shoulder which kept her awake at night.
- This painkiller is good for general aches and pains, but maybe you need something stronger?
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Pain & painful
- -racked
- achy
- agonizing
- cluster headache
- dodgy
- earache
- hell
- hurt
- masochism
- non-ulcer stomach pain
- painful
- painfully
- rack
- racking
- shooting pains
- suffering
- tender
- throb
- torment
- wince
See more results »
acheverb [ I ]
uk/eɪk/us/eɪk/B2 to have a continuous pain that is unpleasant but not very strong:
My head/tooth/back aches.
I ache/I'm aching all over.
I've got one or two aching muscles after yesterday's run.
More examples
- If you're not used to exercise your joints may ache the next day.
- My arms ache from carrying this bag.
- My back really aches after moving those heavy boxes around all day.
- After my exercise class, my whole body ached.
- She's aching and shivering, so I've sent her to bed.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Pain & painful
- -racked
- achy
- agonizing
- cluster headache
- dodgy
- earache
- hell
- hurt
- masochism
- non-ulcer stomach pain
- painful
- painfully
- rack
- racking
- shooting pains
- suffering
- tender
- throb
- torment
- wince
See more results »
Phrasal verb(s)
ache for sth