sore

sore — adjective

1. describing a body part that is painful, often because of an injury, an infection

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

describing a body part that is painful, often because of an injury, an infection, or overuse during physical activity

Example

After the long hike, Kabir's legs were so sore that he could barely walk.

collocation: sore legs / sore muscles

The nurse told Yasmin to gargle warm salt water for her sore throat.

collocation: sore throat

Common collocations
  • sore muscles
  • sore throat
  • sore back
  • sore feet
  • sore eyes
  • sore spot
  • feel sore
  • look sore
  • be sore from
Synonyms
  • painful

    broader term; can describe any degree or cause of physical discomfort, not limited to muscle ache or minor conditions

  • tender

    specifically means painful when touched or pressed, as with a bruise or inflamed area

  • aching

    describes a steady, dull pain that continues over time rather than a sharp feeling

Antonyms
  • pain-free

    describes a body part that does not hurt at all

  • comfortable

    describes a state of ease with no physical discomfort

Usage Note

Commonly used after verbs like feel, be, get, and look. Unlike painful, which can describe any cause of discomfort, sore usually refers to the dull ache that follows physical exertion or minor illness.

Common Mistakes

My muscles are painful after the workout.
My muscles are sore after the workout.
In everyday English, 'sore' is the natural adjective for muscle ache after exercise; 'painful' sounds too clinical.
I feel a sore in my back.
My back feels sore.
'Sore' as an adjective describes the feeling; 'a sore' as a noun means a visible wound or infection, not general pain.

2. feeling upset or annoyed because something that happened to you seems unfair or

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

feeling upset or annoyed because something that happened to you seems unfair or unjust

Example

Still sore about the argument, Sivan refused to speak to her brother for a week.

collocation: sore about [event]

The players felt sore after the referee made a decision that cost them the match.

Common collocations
  • sore about
  • sore at
  • sore over
  • feel sore
  • get sore
  • a sore loser
Synonyms
  • upset

    broader and more general; can describe sadness or worry as well as anger

  • resentful

    stronger and more formal; implies holding a grudge over time rather than temporary annoyance

  • annoyed

    milder; suggests irritation rather than the stronger sense of unfair treatment

Antonyms
  • pleased

    feeling happy or satisfied with how things turned out

  • forgiving

    willing to let go of a grievance rather than dwelling on unfair treatment

Grammar Patterns

be + sore + about/at/over + [reason]

get + sore + about/at/over + [reason]

Usage Note

Usually predicative (used after a verb, not before a noun). You can be sore about an event, sore at a person, or sore over a situation. The related fixed noun phrase 'a sore loser' describes someone who gets angry when they lose a game or competition.

Common Mistakes

She was sore with me for being late.
She was sore at me for being late.
The correct preposition is 'at' (for a person), not 'with'.
He is sore losing the game.
He is a sore loser.
The fixed expression is 'a sore loser'; you cannot use 'sore' alone this way without the full phrase.
Idioms

a sight for sore eyes

idiom

a person or thing that you are very happy and relieved to see, especially after a long time or a difficult experience

After three days of rain, the sunshine was a sight for sore eyes.

When Yasmin walked into the café, her old friend said, "You are a sight for sore eyes!"

a sore point

idiom

a subject that makes someone feel angry or upset whenever it is brought up in conversation

The failed exam is still a sore point for Rafael, so please do not mention it.

Money became a sore point between the two friends after the loan was not repaid.

stick out like a sore thumb

idiom

to be very noticeable in an unpleasant or awkward way because of being different from everything or everyone around

In his old-fashioned suit, the man stuck out like a sore thumb at the trendy party.

A modern glass building would stick out like a sore thumb in this historic village.

like a bear with a sore head

idiom

Someone who is very irritable and in a bad mood.

Dad was like a bear with a sore head after losing his keys.

Why is Maya like a bear with a sore head today?

stand/stick out like a sore thumb

idiom

To be very noticeable in a way that is unpleasant or awkward.

In his old-fashioned suit, Brian stuck out like a sore thumb.

That bright pink car stands out like a sore thumb in this parking lot.

sore — noun

sore — adverb

Word family

  • sorely
    adverbC1
  • soreness
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Sore, painful, tender, and aching all describe physical discomfort, but they differ in typical use and connotation. Sore is the most frequent word for the dull muscle ache that follows exercise or illness—you say 'My legs are sore' after a run, not 'My legs are painful.' Painful is broader and can describe any sensation of pain, from a mild headache to a serious injury ('a painful wound'), but it sounds more clinical when used for everyday muscle ache. Tender specifically means a body part hurts when touched or pressed, as with a bruise or an inflamed joint ('His knee was tender to the touch'). Aching describes a steady, dull pain that continues over time rather than a sharp or sudden feeling ('an aching back after sitting at a desk all day'). To choose the right word: use sore for post-exercise or illness-related muscle discomfort, tender for sensitivity to touch, aching for a persistent dull pain, and painful when you need a general or more formal term.

sore ↗painful ↗tender ↗aching

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word sore comes from Old English sār, meaning 'painful, grievous, or causing suffering,' which traces back to Proto-Germanic *saira- and further to Proto-Indo-European *say- (to suffer). The modern adjective, noun, and adverb forms all developed from this same root. The emotional sense ('angry or upset at unfair treatment') emerged in Middle English as a metaphor that extended physical pain to wounded feelings.