English vocabulary · B1
Wince
/wɪns/ · v., n.
To wince is to make a quick, small face when something suddenly hurts or feels bad. Your eyes and mouth move for a second.
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Example sentences
- She winced when the needle touched her arm.
- He winced at the harsh review of his work.
Word origin and roots
from Old North French
- wince — turn away (from Old North French)
Synonyms and nuances
Similar words
Lesson notes
To wince is to make a quick, small face when something suddenly hurts or feels bad. Your eyes and mouth move for a second.
Related: flinch, cringe, recoil. Use wince when sudden pain or a hard truth hits you.
She winced when the needle touched her arm. He winced at the harsh review of his work.
From Old North French. Wince- means turn away. A quick, small move away from pain or a hard truth — that is a wince.