noun

twinge

twihnj

noun

A sudden, brief sharp pain in part of the body.

"She felt a twinge in her back after lifting the box."

A brief, sharp pang of emotion, such as guilt or regret.

"He felt a twinge of guilt for forgetting her birthday."

verb

To experience a sudden sharp pain.

"His knee twinged every time he climbed the stairs."

How to Use Twinge

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA quick, sharp pain — physical or emotional.

Common pairings

a twinge of pain a twinge of guilt a twinge of regret

Word Forms

twinged past tense, twinge plural, twinged plural, twinges plural, twinges singular, twinge singular, twinged singular, twingedst singular, twingest singular, twingeth singular

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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.

Rhymes for twinge

Inge singe hinge binge tinge fringe cringe syringe

See all rhymes for twinge →