Oct 10, 2026 ache ˈāk 1 syllable uncommon ‹ verb. to suffer a usually dull persistent pain an aching backaching with sadness verb. to become distressed or disturbed (as with anxiety or regret) My heart aches for those poor people.He is aching to go. verb. to feel compassion noun. a usually dull persistent pain had an ache in his backlooked through the old pictures with a dull ache in her heart noun. a condition marked by aching › Origin Middle English aken, going back to Old English acan, of uncertain origin.