Ache vs. Hurt: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
An ache is a continuous dull pain, whereas hurt encompasses a wider range of pain types and can also be used as a verb.
Key Differences
An ache is usually a steady, dull pain that is often less intense but more prolonged. It is something one feels, for example, after extended physical exertion or during a mild illness.
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Nov 30, 2023
Hurt is a broader term that can refer to both physical pain and emotional distress. It can also be used as a verb to indicate the action of causing pain or as a noun to describe the sensation of pain.
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Nov 30, 2023
An ache tends to be specific and localized, such as a headache or a stomachache, suggesting a persistent discomfort. It is often used to describe a sensation that is bearable but continuously bothersome.
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Nov 30, 2023
Hurt, when used as a verb, implies the act of causing pain or damage, such as "Do not hurt yourself," while as a noun, it refers to the feeling of pain that can range from mild to severe, such as "I feel a hurt in my arm."
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Nov 30, 2023
In common usage, an ache is often associated with chronic conditions, like an arthritic ache, which lasts over a long period, whereas hurt can be used for sudden and acute sensations resulting from injuries or immediate emotional pain.
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Nov 30, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Type of Pain
Dull and continuous.
Can be sharp, acute, or dull; more varied.
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Emotional Connotation
Less commonly used for emotional pain.
Often used for both physical and emotional pain.
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Ache and Hurt Definitions
Ache
A continuous dull pain in a part of one's body.
The ache in her joints worsened with the cold weather.
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Ache
A longing or strong desire that is somewhat sad.
She felt an ache in her heart whenever she thought of her childhood home.
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Nov 08, 2023
Ache
A symptom characterized by persistent discomfort.
The dull ache in his back was a reminder of his strenuous job.
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Nov 08, 2023
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Hurt
To be detrimental to something, such as a cause or a feeling.
Skipping practice will only hurt your chances of making the team.
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Ache
A persistent pain that is usually not sharp or intense.
After the marathon, his legs were filled with an exhausting ache.
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Hurt
To cause physical damage or pain to (an individual or a body part); injure
The fall hurt his back.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ache
An emotion or feeling of sorrow or empathy.
His story of struggle left an ache in the listeners' hearts.
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Nov 08, 2023
Hurt
To experience injury or pain to or in (an individual or a body part)
I hurt my knee skiing.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hurt
To cause mental or emotional suffering to; distress
The remark hurt his feelings.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hurt
To cause physical damage to (something); harm
The frost hurt the orange crop.
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Hurt
To be detrimental to; hinder or impair
The scandal hurt the candidate's chances for victory.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hurt
To have or produce a feeling of physical pain or discomfort
My leg hurts.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hurt
To have an adverse effect
“It never hurt to have a friend at court” (Tom Clancy).
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Ache
To suffer pain; to be the source of, or be in, pain, especially continued dull pain; to be distressed.
My feet were aching for days after the marathon.
Every muscle in his body ached.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hurt
(Informal) To experience distress, especially of a financial kind; be in need
“Even in a business that's hurting there's always a guy who can make a buck” (New York).
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Ache
Continued dull pain, as distinguished from sudden twinges, or spasmodic pain.
You may suffer a minor ache in your side.
The aches and pains died down after taking an analgesic.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hurt
To cause (a person or animal) physical pain and/or injury.
If anybody hurts my little brother, I will get upset.
This injection might hurt a little.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ache
Continued pain, as distinguished from sudden twinges, or spasmodic pain. "Such an ache in my bones."
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Oct 19, 2023
Hurt
To cause (somebody) emotional pain.
He was deeply hurt he hadn’t been invited.
The insult hurt.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ache
To suffer pain; to have, or be in, pain, or in continued pain; to be distressed.
The sins that in your conscience ache.
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Hurt
To be painful.
Does your leg still hurt? / It is starting to feel better.
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Hurt
To damage, harm, impair, undermine, impede.
This latest gaffe hurts the legislator’s reelection prospects still further.
Copying and pasting identical portions of source code hurts maintainability, because the programmer has to keep all those copies synchronized.
Every little hurts.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ache
Have a desire for something or someone who is not present;
She ached for a cigarette
I am pining for my lover
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Hurt
An emotional or psychological humiliation or bad experience.
How to overcome old hurts of the past
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Hurt
To cause physical pain to; to do bodily harm to; to wound or bruise painfully.
The hurt lion groans within his den.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hurt
To impar the value, usefulness, beauty, or pleasure of; to damage; to injure; to harm.
Virtue may be assailed, but never hurt.
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Hurt
To wound the feelings of; to cause mental pain to; to offend in honor or self-respect; to annoy; to grieve.
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Hurt
Any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
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Hurt
Psychological suffering;
The death of his wife caused him great distress
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Hurt
Cause emotional anguish or make miserable;
It pains me to see my children not being taught well in school
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Hurt
Cause damage or affect negatively;
Our business was hurt by the new competition
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Hurt
Hurt the feelings of;
She hurt me when she did not include me among her guests
This remark really bruised me ego
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Hurt
Suffering from physical injury especially that suffered in battle;
Nursing his wounded arm
Ambulances...for the hurt men and women
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Oct 19, 2023
Hurt
The experience or action of feeling pain.
He was surprised that the burn didn’t hurt as much as he expected.
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Nov 08, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is "hurt" always associated with serious pain?
No, "hurt" can refer to any level of discomfort.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can "ache" refer to emotional pain?
It's less common but can denote a deep, persistent emotional feeling.
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Nov 30, 2023
Is "hurt" used in medical terminology?
"Hurt" is less formal and not typically used in medical diagnoses.
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Nov 30, 2023
Does "hurt" imply suddenness?
"Hurt" can be used for both sudden pain and existing pain.
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Nov 30, 2023
Is an ache always a physical sensation?
No, an ache can also refer to emotional or psychological discomfort, such as a heartache.
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Nov 30, 2023
Is "ache" synonymous with "pain"?
While they are related, "ache" often implies a milder, lingering discomfort, whereas "pain" can be more intense and acute.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can both "ache" and "hurt" be signs of an injury?
Yes, both can indicate injury but in different intensities or durations.
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What does "ache" mean?
"Ache" is a dull, continuous pain or discomfort, often associated with a part of the body or emotional distress.
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Nov 30, 2023
Is "hurt" typically associated with physical injuries?
"Hurt" can refer to both physical and emotional injuries. It encompasses any form of harm that causes distress.
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Nov 30, 2023
Is "hurt" synonymous with "injure"?
While they are related, "injure" typically refers to causing harm, while "hurt" focuses on the experience of pain or suffering.
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Nov 30, 2023
What is the meaning of "hurt"?
"Hurt" refers to physical or emotional injury, damage, or harm that causes pain or distress.
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Nov 30, 2023
Are there different types of aches?
Yes, there are various types of aches, such as a headache, stomachache, or toothache, each associated with a specific area of discomfort.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can "hurt" be used to describe emotional pain?
Yes, "hurt" is commonly used to express emotional distress or sadness, such as when someone's feelings are hurt.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can "hurt" be used as a noun?
Yes, "hurt" can also be a noun, referring to the feeling of pain or injury. For example, "I felt a deep hurt."
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Nov 30, 2023
Are there different degrees of "hurt"?
Yes, "hurt" can range from mild discomfort to severe pain, depending on the context and the extent of the injury or emotional distress.
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Nov 30, 2023
Can "hurt" also describe damage to non-living things?
Yes, "hurt" can be used metaphorically to describe damage or harm to objects or concepts, such as "The storm hurt the crops."
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Nov 30, 2023
Is "hurt" always negative?
While "hurt" typically denotes a negative experience, it can also be used in certain contexts where pain or discomfort is necessary for growth or improvement. For example, "No pain, no gain" suggests that some forms of hurt can lead to positive outcomes.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 30, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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