twinge

¹twinge

verb \ˈtwinj\

twingedtwing·ing \ˈtwin-jiŋ\ or twinge·ing

Definition of TWINGE

transitive verb

1

dialect : pluck, tweak

2

: to affect with a sharp pain or pang

intransitive verb

: to feel a sudden sharp local pain

Origin of TWINGE

Middle English twengen, from Old English twengan; akin to Old High German zwengen to pinch

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with TWINGE

binge, cringe, dinge, fringe, hinge, singe, springe, swinge, tinge, whinge

²twinge

noun

Definition of TWINGE

1

: a sudden sharp stab of pain

2

: a moral or emotional pang <a twinge of conscience> <a twinge of sympathy>

Examples of TWINGE

1. He felt a twinge of arthritis when he stood up.
2. I still feel an occasional twinge in my leg from the accident.
3. I felt a twinge of guilt.
4. I must admit to a twinge of envy.

First Known Use of TWINGE

1608

Related to TWINGE

Synonyms

ache, pang, prick, shoot, smart, sting, stitch, throe, tingle, pain

Related Words

discomfort, distress, soreness, tenderness; affliction, agony, anguish, misery, sufferance, suffering, torment, torture; inflammation, sore, swelling; damage, detriment, harm, hurt, injury; backache, bellyache, charley horse, colic, complaint, earache, gripe, headache, stomachache, toothache

Near Antonyms

comfort, ease, easiness

twinge

noun \ˈtwinj\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of TWINGE

: a sudden sharp stab of pain