wince
C1Neutral to formal; common in written and spoken English.
Definition
Meaning
to make a slight, involuntary grimace or shrinking movement of the body, especially in anticipation of pain or discomfort, or in reaction to something unpleasant.
To react mentally or emotionally with a feeling of distaste, embarrassment, or regret.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a quick, involuntary, and often visible reaction. It is more about a reflexive flinch than a deliberate action. Can be used for both physical and emotional/psychological discomfort.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
wince at somethingwince in pain/discomfortwince as if...make someone winceVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “make someone wince (cause embarrassment or discomfort)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically: 'Investors winced at the quarterly losses.'
Academic
Used in literary analysis, psychology, or medical descriptions of pain response.
Everyday
Common for describing reactions to pain, embarrassing moments, or bad news.
Technical
Used in medicine/neurology to describe a pain reflex.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She winced as the nurse cleaned the cut.
- I still wince when I remember my foolish comment.
American English
- He winced at the loud screech of the chalkboard.
- The harsh criticism made the entire team wince.
adverb
British English
- N/A (No standard adverb form.)
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A (The adjective form 'wincing' is a participle, not a standalone adjective.)
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Ouch! The boy winced when he touched the hot pan.
- She winced in pain after twisting her ankle.
- Many viewers winced at the awkward dialogue in the film.
- Historians wince at the oversimplification of complex events in popular media.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of WINCE rhyming with 'flinch' – both are quick, involuntary reactions to something bad.
Conceptual Metaphor
PAIN/EMBARRASSMENT IS A PHYSICAL IMPACT (causing a reflexive withdrawal).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как 'морщиться' в контексте раздумья или недовольства (to frown).
- Не путать с 'дёргаться' (to twitch/jerk), что более спазматично.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'wince' for a deliberate action (e.g., 'He winced to show he was upset').
- Confusing it with 'whinge' (to complain).
Practice
Quiz
Which situation is MOST likely to make someone 'wince'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is commonly used for emotional or social discomfort, like embarrassment or regret, as in 'winced at the memory'.
They are very close synonyms. 'Wince' often suggests a facial expression (grimace) accompanying the movement, while 'flinch' emphasizes the body movement/shying away itself.
Yes, e.g., 'He gave a slight wince.' It is a countable noun derived from the verb.
It's more idiomatic to say 'wince in pain' or 'wince with pain'. 'Wince from' is less common but understandable.