neuralgia

American  

[noo-ral-juh, nyoo-] / nʊˈræl dʒə, njʊ- /

noun

Pathology.

• neuralgias
  plural

1. sharp and paroxysmal pain along the course of a nerve.

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neuralgia British  

/ njʊˈrældʒɪə /

noun

1. severe spasmodic pain caused by damage to or malfunctioning of a nerve and often following the course of the nerve

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antineuralgic
  adjective
• neuralgic
  adjective
• postneuralgic
  adjective
• preneuralgic
  adjective
• unneuralgic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• neuralgias
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of neuralgia

First recorded in 1815–25; neur- + -algia

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

neuralgia neuralgias

There is, as Tbakhi experienced, a potential for continued complications—as well as long-term neuralgic pain called postherpetic neuralgia, blindness, and encephalitis.

From Slate ● Nov. 1, 2026

I've been struggling with a condition called trigeminal neuralgia, external that causes excruciating pain like an electric shock across the side of my face, which can stop me from speaking, eating or drinking.

From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026

Vaccination, which has typically been recommended for older adults, reduces the likelihood of shingles and lowers the risk of postherpetic neuralgia, or long-term nerve pain that can persist after the rash clears.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 26, 2026

The FDA approved it in 2002 for post-herpetic neuralgia, or nerve pain after shingles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 25, 2025

“I am still tortured a good deal with neuralgia and toothache,” Olmsted wrote, “and I am tired and have a growing dread of worry & anxiety.”

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

The diagnosis of visceral neuralgias is, it need hardly be said, in most cases, a far more difficult and complicated matter.

From Neuralgia and the Diseases that Resemble it by Francis E. Anstie

Again, the totally feverless commencement of neuralgias, a character which is maintained throughout the progress of the milder cases, is entirely opposed to the idea of a direct connection between myelitis and neuralgia.

From Neuralgia and the Diseases that Resemble it by Francis E. Anstie

In severest cases of neuralgias of the head and face it would do its work quick and well.

From New, Old, and Forgotten Remedies: Papers by Many Writers by Edward Pollock Anshutz

The inunction of mild veratrine-ointment is extremely useful, as an adjunct to other treatment, in migraine and supra-orbital neuralgias of suckling women, and of chlorotic girls.

From Neuralgia and the Diseases that Resemble it by Francis E. Anstie

In women the period of involution of the sexual apparatus forms a crisis which, in regard to neuralgias, is of great prognostic importance.

From Neuralgia and the Diseases that Resemble it by Francis E. Anstie

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