aching
/eɪk/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈekɪŋ] /eɪk/ (ame, ipa) · [ˈekɪŋ] /ˈā-kiŋ/ (ame, mw)
aching — verb
- achingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- achings3rd person singular
- achinging-ing form
- achingedpast simple
1. the -ing form of 'ache', used when describing pain that is continuing over a per
the -ing form of 'ache', used when describing pain that is continuing over a period of time
After the hike, Nadia's calves were aching when she climbed the stairs home.
past continuous: were aching
My shoulders started aching after I carried the boxes upstairs alone.
pattern: start + aching
By midnight, Tariq's tooth was still aching despite the pain tablets.
Adina's wrists kept aching after a full day of typing reports.
- pain-free
without any pain
- comfortable
feeling physically at ease rather than sore
文法句型
be + aching
start/keep + aching
用法筆記
Usually follows verbs like be, start, keep, or stop, and often names the body part that hurts. Distinguish from adjective sense 1, which directly modifies a noun, as in 'aching shoulders'.
常見錯誤
aching — adjective
- achingpositive
- more achingcomparative
- most achingsuperlative
1. painful in a dull, steady way that lasts for some time, especially in a part of
painful in a dull, steady way that lasts for some time, especially in a part of the body
Zola rubbed her aching shoulders after three hours at the sewing machine.
collocation: aching shoulders
The nurse brought a warm pad for Christopher's aching lower back.
After the tournament, Owen soaked his aching feet in cold water.
Élise stayed on the sofa, holding her aching jaw after the dental visit.
Beatriz stretched her aching legs after the long bus ride home.
- pain-free
without physical pain
- comfortable
feeling physically at ease
文法句型
aching + body-part noun
用法筆記
Most often used before nouns naming body parts, joints, or muscles. If you want to describe the ongoing action rather than the painful body part itself, the verb sense is usually more natural: 'my legs were aching'.
常見錯誤
2. showing or causing deep sadness, emotional pain, or a strong wish for someone or
showing or causing deep sadness, emotional pain, or a strong wish for someone or something that is far away or lost
Ritu wrote an aching letter to her son after he moved overseas.
emotional use: aching + letter
The cello's aching melody filled the empty church at dusk.
Niran gave one aching look at the house before the taxi pulled away.
Romi's voice carried an aching note of homesickness during the interview.
The film ends with an aching silence between the two sisters.
- wistful
gentler and quieter, often with a soft sense of memory
- mournful
focuses more on sadness than on longing
- heartbroken
stronger and more direct about personal grief
文法句型
aching + voice/look/silence/desire
用法筆記
This sense is mainly used in emotional, artistic, or literary contexts with nouns like voice, look, silence, desire, or loneliness. Unlike sense 1, it does not describe physical pain in the body.