ail

[eyl]

verb (used with object)

1. to cause pain, uneasiness, or trouble to.

   Inside our own bodies lies the most powerful cure for what ails us—our immune systems.

   He thinks lowering taxes is the answer to all that ails our economy.

   Synonyms: distress, annoy, bother

verb (used without object)

1. to be unwell; feel pain; be ill.

   He's been ailing for some time.

ail

/ eɪl /

verb

1. (tr) to trouble; afflict

2. (intr) to feel unwell

Word History and Origins

Origin of ail¹

before 950; Middle English ail, eilen, Old English eglan to afflict (cognate with Middle Low German egelen annoy, Gothic -agljan ), derivative of egle painful; akin to Gothic agls shameful, Sanskrit aghám evil, pain

Word History and Origins

Origin of ail¹

Old English eglan to trouble, from egle troublesome, painful, related to Gothic agls shameful

Example Sentences

Nor do they seem to have pinned down precisely what’s ailing their defense at the moment.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In January 2024, Jones again pinged his contacts after hearing that ailing Lakers star Anthony Davis—identified as “Player 4”—would be limited.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In that case, marches alone may not be enough to solve what has ailed the party.

Read more on BBC

Ayumi is the young go-between charged by his ailing grandmother to take over the supernatural family business.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The two camps appear to share a sense of disgust about the UK's ailing economy and the poor state of public services - although they do not necessarily agree on the causes or the solutions.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• afflict 
• bother