smarting

smarting — verb

  • smartingpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • smartings3rd person singular
  • smartinging-ing form
  • smartingedpast simple

1. if a part of your body is smarting, it gives you a sudden sharp burning feeling,

1.動詞不及物C1
釋義

if a part of your body is smarting, it gives you a sudden sharp burning feeling, often from a cut, a slap, or something getting into it.

例句

Rohan's eyes were smarting from the thick smoke in the kitchen.

smarting from [cause that irritates the body]

The cold wind left Sofie's cheeks smarting as she walked to school.

[body part] + smarting after exposure

同義詞
  • sting

    very close in meaning; 'sting' is more common in everyday speech

  • burn

    stronger and more lasting; smarting is sharp but usually brief

  • tingle

    milder, often pleasant or numb; smarting always hurts

文法句型

[body part] + be smarting

smarting from [cause]

用法筆記

Subject is usually a body part (eyes, skin, hand) or the cause is given with 'from'. Distinguish from sense 2: this is real physical pain, not hurt feelings.

常見錯誤

My back is smarting me.
My back is smarting.
💡this sense is intransitive; it does not take an object.

2. to still feel hurt, angry, or ashamed after you have failed at something or been

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

to still feel hurt, angry, or ashamed after you have failed at something or been strongly criticised.

例句

Bilal was still smarting from the rude comments his coach made after the match.

smarting from [criticism]

The team kept smarting over their loss to a much weaker side.

smarting over [a defeat]

同義詞
  • sting

    criticism can 'sting'; smarting describes the lasting ache afterwards

  • brood

    brood is quiet and inward; smarting carries more raw hurt and anger

  • wince

    a quick visible reaction; smarting is a feeling that lingers

文法句型

smarting from [criticism/defeat]

still smarting over [event]

用法筆記

Frequently used with 'still' and followed by 'from' or 'over' naming the failure or criticism. Distinguish from sense 1: the pain here is emotional, not a feeling in the body.

常見錯誤

He was smarting the bad review.
He was smarting from the bad review.
💡name the cause with 'from' or 'over', not as a direct object.

smarting — noun