Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [smahrt]
- /smɑrt/
- /smɑːt/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [smahrt]
- /smɑrt/
Definitions of smarting word
- verb without object smarting to be a source of sharp, local, and usually superficial pain, as a wound. 1
- verb without object smarting to be the cause of a sharp, stinging pain, as an irritating application, a blow, etc. 1
- verb without object smarting to feel a sharp, stinging pain, as in a wound. 1
- verb without object smarting to suffer keenly from wounded feelings: She smarted under their criticism. 1
- verb without object smarting to feel shame or remorse or to suffer in punishment or in return for something. 1
- verb with object smarting to cause a sharp pain to or in. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of smarting
First appearance:
before 1050 One of the 6% oldest English words
before 1050; (v.) Middle English smerten, Old English -smeortan (only in the compound fyrsmeortende painful like fire), cognate with Old High German smerzan (German schmerzen); (adj.) Middle English smerte, smart quick, prompt, sharp, orig., biting, smarting, late Old English smearte, akin to the v.; (adv. and noun) Middle English smerte, derivative of the adj.
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Smarting
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
smarting popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 98% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
smarting usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for smarting
adj smarting
- abscessed — a localized collection of pus in the tissues of the body, often accompanied by swelling and inflammation and frequently caused by bacteria.
- aching — causing physical pain or distress: treatment for an aching back.
- achy — If you feel achy, your body hurts.
- anguished — Anguished means showing or feeling great mental suffering or physical pain.
- burning — You use burning to describe something that is extremely hot.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with s
- Words starting with sm
- Words starting with sma
- Words starting with smar
- Words starting with smart
- Words starting with smarti
- Words starting with smartin
- Words starting with smarting