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heartache

C2
noun

Pronunciation

UK

  • /hˈɑːteɪk/

US

  • /ˈhɑrˌteɪk/

Description

This is the deep emotional pain that comes from loss, longing, or strong disappointment. People often think of it as something tied to romance, and it can follow a breakup or rejection, but it also appears after the death of a loved one, a broken friendship, or the loss of a dream. It can feel heavy and personal, as if sadness has settled into the chest and refuses to leave.

Sometimes it stays as a quiet sorrow for a long time. Sometimes it comes in waves and makes even ordinary moments feel hard. It is part of being human, and it often shows how deeply someone cared about a person, a hope, or a life they wanted.

Examples

  1. 1

    Romantic breakup

    Their long-distance relationship ended in heartache.

  2. 2

    Family illness

    Watching his father get weaker was a real heartache for the whole family.

  3. 3

    Lost friendship

    She still feels heartache over the way the friendship ended.

    • Pattern

      heartache over + event

      emotional pain about it

  4. 4

    Protecting family

    He kept the diagnosis from his mother to spare her more heartache.

    • Pattern

      spare someone heartache

      prevent extra emotional pain

  5. 5

    Painful relationship

    That relationship brought her nothing but heartache.

Forms and spellings

2 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • heartachenoun

Forms

  • heartachespluralnoun