Twinge: meaning, definitions and examples

A sharp, sudden, and usually minor feeling of pain or discomfort. Often used to describe brief or fleeting sensations.

• She felt a twinge of guilt after breaking the vase.
• He experienced a twinge in his knee when he stood up quickly.

An unpleasant feeling that can range from mild discomfort to severe distress. It is a general term and can refer to both physical and emotional experiences.

• She felt a deep pain after hearing the sad news.
• He has been experiencing pain in his lower abdomen for a few days.

A continuous, dull pain that is not as sharp as a 'pain' but more persistent, often associated with muscles or joints.

• My back starts to ache when I sit for too long.
• The old injury causes him to ache during cold weather.

A very intense, sharp, and sudden pain. It often implies a quick, piercing feeling similar to being pricked by a sharp object. Frequently used to describe emotional pain.

• He felt a stab of jealousy when he saw his ex with someone new.
• There was a sudden stab of pain in her chest.

A sharp and biting pain, often associated with something that irritates the skin like an insect bite or a nettle. It can also describe a sharp emotional feeling.

• The bee's sting was extremely painful.
• His harsh words left a sting that she couldn't shake off.

A 'twinge' is a sudden, sharp pain that typically lasts for a short moment. It's often used to describe minor or fleeting discomfort in a specific area of the body.

• I felt a twinge in my knee when I stood up.
• She experienced a twinge of guilt after lying to her friend.

'Hurt' is a general term that can describe any type of pain, ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain. It can also refer to emotional pain, making it versatile but somewhat vague.

• My foot really hurts after I tripped over the rock.
• Her feelings were hurt when she was left out of the group plans.

An 'ache' describes a continuous, dull pain that might be mild to moderate in intensity. It is often used to express something that lasts longer, like muscle ache after exercise.

• After running the marathon, I had an ache in my legs for days.
• He complained about a consistent ache in his back.

'Prick' refers to a tiny, sharp pain, often from something like a needle or a thorn. This word is also used to describe the sensation of a light stabbing pain.

• I felt a prick when the nurse gave me the injection.
• A prick from the rose thorn made him wince.

'Sting' is often associated with a sharp, burning pain, like that caused by an insect bite or contact with a nettle. It can also describe a painful feeling of emotional distress.

• The jellyfish left a sting on his arm.
• Her harsh words left a sting that he couldn't shake off.