English Reference
Noun

pang

n. countable
C1 Advanced US /ˈpæŋ/ UK /pˈæŋ/ pang UK spelling pang's, pang's, panged, panging

n.a sudden, sharp feeling of pain or a strong emotion like guilt or hunger. It usually lasts for a short time but feels very intense.

n.a sudden sharp feeling of emotional or physical distress. Often used to describe brief, acute sensations of hunger, guilt, or regret.


SIMPLE

She felt a sudden pang of guilt for forgetting his birthday.

CONTEXTUAL

As the sun began to set, he felt a sharp pang of hunger and realized he hadn't eaten since breakfast.

COMPLEX

Standing before her childhood home, she was struck by a sudden pang of nostalgia that made the intervening decades seem to vanish in an instant.

Usage

Frequently appears in the construction 'a pang of [emotion/sensation]'.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated