Definition of AGONY

agony

Meanings

Plural: agonies

Noun

  • intense feelings of suffering; acute mental or physical pain
    • "an agony of doubt"
  • a state of acute pain
  • Extreme pain.
  • The sufferings of Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane (often capitalized).
  • Violent contest or striving.
  • Paroxysm of joy; keen emotion.
  • The last struggle of life; death struggle.

Origin / Etymology

14th century, via Old French and Latin from Ancient Greek ἀγωνία (agōnía, “emulation, competition, struggle”), from ἀγών (agṓn, “contest”). Specifically of the struggle that precedes death (mortal agony) from the 1540s.
The sense of "extreme pain" from c. 1600.

Scrabble Score: 9

agony is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
agony is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
agony is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 10

agony is a valid Words With Friends word