twinge

[ twinj ]

noun

1. a sudden, sharp pain:

   On damp days, he's often bothered by a twinge of rheumatism.

   Synonyms: stab, pang, cramp, spasm

2. a mental or emotional pang:

   a twinge of guilt; twinges of sorrow.

verb (used with object)

, twinged, twing·ing.

1. to affect (the body or mind) with a sudden, sharp pain or pang.
2. to pinch; tweak; twitch.

verb (used without object)

, twinged, twing·ing.

1. to have or feel a sudden, sharp pain.

twinge

/ twɪndʒ /

noun

1. a sudden brief darting or stabbing pain
2. a sharp emotional pang

   a twinge of guilt

verb

1. to have or cause to have a twinge
2. obsolete.
   tr to pinch; tweak

Word History and Origins

Origin of twinge¹

before 1000; Middle English twengen to pinch, Old English twengan

Word History and Origins

Origin of twinge¹

Old English twengan to pinch; related to Old High German zwengen

Example Sentences

She had just arrived in Ireland for a trip in 2018 when she started feeling a twinge at the base of her pinkie.

From Washington Post

You can prime your muscles to avoid the painful twinge of startled neurons, according to Jeffrey Jenkins, a physiologist at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

From Popular-Science

Some saw him as a mentor, others as a collaborator, me with the twinge of regret for not being remotely brave enough to appreciate the brief window into this gentle giant for the luck of the encounter.

From TechCrunch

That night as I got into bed I had a twinge of regret, but told myself that once she was in the care center, interviewing her would be the perfect activity for a visit, an excellent way to pass a few hours.

From Time

There’s a unique twinge of betrayal at the core of whatever Levine’s death has left me holding.

From Washington Post

Impossibly, even through thick glass, I felt a twinge of vertigo.

From The Daily Beast

Kandynce remained where she was and evidenced not a twinge of self-pity.

From The Daily Beast

But he acknowledges a twinge of regret during the newsroom announcement Thursday.

From The Daily Beast

What Rock created, then, is a twinge of nostalgia for a twinge of nostalgia.

From The Daily Beast

They no doubt felt a twinge of satisfaction but it could only have been momentary.

From The Daily Beast

The Colonel's countenance fell, and there was an awful twinge in his foot, but he didn't mind it.

From Project Gutenberg

He was not sure whether Bruslart had spoken the truth, he did not much care, yet he felt a twinge of conscience.

From Project Gutenberg

Not the most discerning observer would have imagined he felt a twinge of regret over his failure.

From Project Gutenberg

She had a sudden twinge of jealousy, swallowed up by an immense tenderness.

From Project Gutenberg

Such a twinge came to him now as he watched the stout figure at the table.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ache
• pang
• shiver
• spasm