Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[missdaredevil]

The* dull* ache in his head turned out to be brain cancer.

How can an ache be *dull*?

Thanks

[Lorikeet]

"Dull" is the opposite of "sharp". A sharp pain is one that feels like a knife. It hurts very bad and then is gone. A dull pain is one that is sort of in the background, but won't go away. At least that's what it is to me!

[missdaredevil]

[Lorikeet]

Maybe someone else will have success explaining it. For me, it's in the background because it isn't a sharp acute pain that you have to pay attention to because it hurts so quickly. Instead, it's a dull throbbing style of pain.

[missdaredevil]

thanks