Word
throbbing
Phoneticsthrob·bing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈθɹɑbɪŋ/
UK/θɹˈɒbɪŋ/
Definition
adj. feeling a strong, regular beat, usually because of pain or a lot of energy. You use this to describe a headache or loud music that you can feel in your body.
adj. beating, pulsating, or vibrating with a strong, rhythmic intensity. Often used to describe physical pain or loud, low-frequency sounds; frequently appears as a participial adjective after linking verbs like 'feel' or 'be'.
Examples
“I have a throbbing headache after that long meeting.”
“The loud, throbbing bass from the party next door made it impossible for me to sleep.”
“She sat in the quiet room, acutely aware of the throbbing ache in her ankle and the rhythmic ticking of the clock on the wall.”
Examples
simple
“I have a throbbing headache after that long meeting.”
contextual
“The loud, throbbing bass from the party next door made it impossible for me to sleep.”
complex
“She sat in the quiet room, acutely aware of the throbbing ache in her ankle and the rhythmic ticking of the clock on the wall.”
Usage
Commonly used both before a noun (attributive) and after a linking verb (predicative).
Real-World Examples
“It's often assumed that because this is such a regular, pulse-like throbbing it must be linked to the heartbeat.” “There are many kinds of pain—Piercing, burning, aching, shocking—but the type I want to focus on today is throbbing.” “At the time, researchers did not have an alternative explanation for the origin of the throbbing quality of pain, but this current case study reveals new answers.” Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- 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 C1.785–944EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Pre-1
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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