What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
aching
Example
My legs are aching after running for an hour. [aching: present participle]
Example
She complained of an aching back after sitting at her desk all day. [aching: adjective]
painful
Example
The injection was painful and made me flinch. [painful: adjective]
Example
He winced in pain when he twisted his ankle. [pain: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Painful is more commonly used than aching in everyday language. Painful is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while aching is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between aching and painful?
Both aching and painful can be used in formal and informal contexts, but painful may be more appropriate in medical or technical settings where precision and accuracy are important.
