ache

Universal Words verb, noun verb 1 [V] to feel a continuous dull pain: I'm aching all over. * Her eyes ached from lack of sleep. * (figurative) It makes my heart ache (= it makes me sad) to see her suffer. 2 ~ for sb/sth (written) to have a strong desire for sb/sth or to do sth SYNLONG: [V] I was aching for home. * [Vtoinf] He ached to see her. noun (often in compounds) a continuous feeling of pain in a part of the body: Mummy, I've got a tummy ache. * Muscular aches and pains can be soothed by a relaxing massage. * (figurative) an ache in my heart (= a continuous sad feeling) seealsoBELLYACHE, HEARTACHE achy adjective (informal): I felt hot and achy all over.