heartache

Meaning

Emotional distress or pain, often caused by a loved one or their absence.

Synonyms

grief

sorrow

heartbreak

sadness

affliction

distress

lovesickness

misery

suffering

woe

brokenheartedness

love sickness

anguish

worry

mortified

moved

regret

regretful

remorse

bitterness

mental agony

torment

depression

dolor

grievance

grieved

grudge

hardship

deep sorrow

agony

Translations

crepacuore

Kummer

peine de cœur

dolore

chagrin

pesar

angustia

amor doentio

pena

hartzeer

μαράζι

tristeza

liefdesverdriet

Liebeskummer

congoja

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈhɑːteɪk/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: heorteece

Inherited from Old English: heorteċe

In summary

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 has a physiological basis.