Backache

/ˈbæk.eɪk/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A pain or discomfort located in the back.
After sitting at the computer for hours, I started to develop a severe backache.
A common medical condition often caused by poor posture, injury, or muscle strain.
He visited the doctor to discuss the chronic backache that had been bothering him for weeks.
A symptom that may be related to other health issues like stress or lack of exercise.
Her backache seemed to worsen when she was under a lot of stress at work.

Etymology

Combining 'back' referring to the rear part of the human body with 'ache' meaning a continuous or prolonged pain.

Common Phrases and Expressions

pain in the neck
An idiom that refers to something or someone annoying, unrelated but highlights discomfort.
take a load off
To sit down and rest, often used when one is experiencing discomfort.

Related Words

sciatica
Pain that follows the path of the sciatic nerve, often causing back pain.
herniated disc
A condition that can cause back pain due to the displacement of spinal discs.

Slang Meanings

Back killer
Lifting all those weights really gave me a back killer.
Back strain
After that hike, I really felt the back strain.