Definition

1. Noun:
   • A kind of pain such as that caused by a wound or a burn or a sore: A sharp, stinging, or burning sensation of pain, often localized and superficial.

Usage

• The noun "smarting" is used to describe a specific, acute type of physical pain. It is typically associated with injuries affecting the skin or surface tissues.
• It is often used with verbs like "feel," "cause," or "ease."

Examples

• Noun:
  • The antiseptic caused a sharp smarting in the cut on his hand.
  • She felt a persistent smarting from the sunburn on her shoulders.
  • The smarting from the bee sting subsided after a few minutes.

Advanced Usage

• "to be smarting from": This phrase can be used literally for physical pain or figuratively to describe emotional pain or hurt pride.
  • His cheek was still smarting from the slap. (Literal)
  • The team is still smarting from their defeat in the finals. (Figurative, meaning feeling hurt or resentful)

Variants and Related Words

• Smart (verb): To feel or cause a sharp, stinging pain.
  • The soap will smart if it gets in your eyes.
• Smart (adjective): Intelligent; or (of clothing) neat and stylish.
  • She is a very smart student. (Intelligent)
  • He wore a smart suit to the interview. (Stylish)

Synonyms

• Stinging: A sharp, piercing pain.
• Burning: A sensation of intense heat and pain.
• Twinge: A sudden, sharp localized pain.

Related Phrases

• Smart money: Informed, expert investment (idiom, unrelated to pain).
  • Smart money is betting on the new technology.

Noun

1. a kind of pain such as that caused by a wound or a burn or a sore