twinge

1 of 2

noun

ˈtwinj 

1

: a sudden sharp stab of pain

2

: a moral or emotional pang

a twinge of conscience

a twinge of sympathy

twinge

2 of 2

verb

twinged; twinging ˈtwin-jiŋ  or twingeing

transitive verb

1

dialect : pluck, tweak

2

: to affect with a sharp pain or pang

intransitive verb

: to feel a sudden sharp local pain

Synonyms

Noun

• ache
• pain
• pang
• prick
• shoot
• smart
• sting
• stitch
• throe
• tingle

Examples of twinge in a Sentence

Noun

He felt a twinge of arthritis when he stood up.

I still feel an occasional twinge in my leg from the accident.

I felt a twinge of guilt.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Many consumers, even those who aren’t wine snobs, experience a twinge of doubt when confronted with a screw top. —Roger Dooley, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

There is, however, a harmonic tension at the heart of the conception, as semitone dissonances pierce the texture in almost every bar—F against E, D-sharp against E, C against B. As one of these twinges is resolved, another intrudes. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024

Verb

When Bradish gave up his first hit of the night, the air occupied by the Orioles faithful twinged. —Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 15 June 2024

His speech soon turned into a lament twinged with guilt. —Valerie Trapp, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English twengen, from Old English twengan; akin to Old High German zwengen to pinch

First Known Use

Noun

1608, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

twinge

1 of 2 verb

ˈtwinj 

twinged; twinging ˈtwin-jiŋ  or twingeing

: to affect with or feel a sudden sharp pain

twinge

2 of 2 noun

1

: a sudden sharp stab of pain

2

: moral or emotional distress

a twinge of regret

Medical Definition

twinge

noun

ˈtwinj 

: a sudden sharp stab of pain