ache

When something hurts, use the word "ache" to describe the pain:

He has a stomachache. His stomach aches. In the first sentence, the word "ache" is a noun. In the second sentence, "ache" is a verb.

• I have a toothache.
• My tooth aches.
• You have a backache.
• Your back aches.
• Our daughter has an earache.
• Her ear aches.

You can also use the word "ache" to describe an emotional response to a situation:

• Their hearts ache for family members in Mexico who don’t have enough money to feed their children.
• Tony broke up with his girlfriend because he was tired of all the heartache she gave him.
• Juanita is aching to get back home because she misses her husband and her family so much.

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