Word
heartache
US/ˈhɑɹˌteɪk/
UK/hˈɑːteɪk/
Countable & uncountable Literary
Definition
n. a feeling of great sadness or emotional pain, usually because a relationship has ended or someone you love has died.
n. a state of intense emotional distress or sorrow, typically resulting from unrequited love or the loss of a loved one.
Examples
“The breakup caused her a lot of heartache.”
“After years of heartache and failed attempts, the couple finally managed to adopt a child.”
“The novel explores the profound heartache of a soldier returning to a home that no longer feels familiar after decades of conflict.”
Examples
simple
“The breakup caused her a lot of heartache.”
contextual
“After years of heartache and failed attempts, the couple finally managed to adopt a child.”
complex
“The novel explores the profound heartache of a soldier returning to a home that no longer feels familiar after decades of conflict.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the general state of sorrow; countable when referring to specific instances or causes of grief.
Real-World Examples
“Nadia is a case in point, and her pain and heartache will be familiar to many Yemeni men and women.” Etymology
From Middle English heorteece, heorte-ece, from Old English heorteċe, equivalent to heart + ache. Blends both literal and figurative aspects, as emotional distress sometimes includes a physical element of chest discomfort. Compare heartbreak § Etymology, where the literal aspect is lesser, though it still can be said to have a physiological basis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/heartache