# pang

/ˈpæŋ/ (US) · /pˈæŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pang
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

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.

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

## Examples

- She felt a sudden pang of guilt for forgetting his birthday.
- As the sun began to set, he felt a sharp pang of hunger and realized he hadn't eaten since breakfast.
- 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 notes

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

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.