definitions

pain

[ peyn ]
/ peɪn /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pain ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

verb (used with object)

to cause physical pain to; hurt.
to cause (someone) mental or emotional pain; distress: Your sarcasm pained me.

verb (used without object)

to have or give pain.

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RELATED WORDS

cramp, fever, burn, sickness, soreness, agony, irritation, wound, strain, discomfort, illness, torment, misery, twinge, ache, trouble, injury, tenderness, spasm, heartache

Nearby words

paillard, paillasse, paillette, paillon, paimio chair, pain, pain in the neck, pain-pleasure principle, paine, paine, thomas, pained

Idioms

Origin of pain

1250–1300; Middle English peine punishment, torture, pain < Old French < Latin poena penalty, pain < Greek poinḗ penalty

Related forms

un·der·pain, nounun·pain·ing, adjective

Synonym study

1–3. Pain , ache , agony , anguish are terms for sensations causing suffering or torment. Pain and ache usually refer to physical sensations (except heartache ); agony and anguish may be physical or mental. Pain suggests a sudden sharp twinge: a pain in one's ankle. Ache applies to a continuous pain, whether acute or dull: headache; muscular aches. Agony implies a continuous, excruciating, scarcely endurable pain: in agony from a wound. Anguish suggests not only extreme and long-continued pain, but also a feeling of despair. 4a. See care.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pain

British Dictionary definitions for pain

pain

/ (peɪn) /

noun

the sensation of acute physical hurt or discomfort caused by injury, illness, etc
emotional suffering or mental distress
on pain of subject to the penalty of
Also called: pain in the neck, (taboo) pain in the arse informal a person or thing that is a nuisance

verb (tr)

to cause (a person) distress, hurt, grief, anxiety, etc
informal to annoy; irritate
See also pains

Word Origin for pain

C13: from Old French peine, from Latin poena punishment, grief, from Greek poinē penalty
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for pain

pain

[ pān ]

n.

An unpleasant sensation occurring in varying degrees of severity as a consequence of injury, disease, or emotional disorder.
One of the uterine contractions occurring in childbirth.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Idioms and Phrases with pain

pain

In addition to the idioms beginning with pain

  • pain in the neck

also see:

  • at pains
  • feel no pain
  • for one's pains
  • growing pains
  • no pain, no gain
  • on pain of
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.