What does hurting mean?
“Hurting” is the present participle of “hurt” and is used when an action, injury, or experience causes pain or damage. It can describe something painful, as in “the burning sun was hurting my skin,” or a person experiencing pain, as in “her shoulder was hurting.” The word also applies to emotional suffering: a rejection may leave someone “hurting inside.” In informal English, “hurting” can stand as an adjective for a person who appears distressed or emotionally wounded, often after a disappointment or rejection. A further informal sense, as in “I’m hurting for an iced coffee,” means wanting something urgently. Although the form can sound simple, it is especially useful for describing pain that is continuing, recurring, or difficult to conceal.
Cause physical pain or injury; experience physical or emotional pain; or feel an urgent desire for something.
"The long run was hurting more than he had expected."
Usually appears in a continuous or perfect construction, such as “has been hurting” or “was hurting.”
Informally, visibly upset or emotionally distressed.
"She looked at the empty chair and felt hurting."
This is an informal, emphatic use and is common in conversation and informal writing.
“Hurting” can mean that pain is being inflicted, that someone is in pain, or informally, that someone is simply too upset to hide their feelings.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hurting come from?
The present-participle form “hurting” comes from the English verb “hurt,” which developed from the Middle English “hurte” and the Old English “hyrttan,” meaning “to injure” or “cause pain.” The verb belongs to the Germanic family of languages and is related in origin to Old Norse “hirta,” used in a comparable sense. Its modern emotional meanings developed by extension from physical injury to emotional distress.
Related word forms
How hurting is actually used
The verb form is commonly used in the present continuous and perfect constructions. The adjective use is informal and often intensifies a person's emotional state: “He looked really hurting.” The expression “a hurting need” is established but strongly informal.
Easily confused with hurting
A participial use describes pain that is being caused or experienced, whereas the informal adjectival use describes someone who appears emotionally distressed.