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

There’s a laundry list of issues ailing the AI trade — from big-picture macroeconomic questions affecting the rate-cut outlook, to highly specific comments from key players like OpenAI that have rattled the market.

Read more on MarketWatch

At the same time, Daniel Heaf, who became chief executive in May, announced a transformation plan aimed at fixing what’s been ailing the company’s sales for years, by adapting to attract new and younger customers.

Read more on MarketWatch

The cybersecurity company’s earnings and revenue forecast met analysts’ expectations but f ailed to impress investors.

Read more on Barron's

While they are all chatting about their children and their soccer games, you might be more focused on caregiving for an ailing parent.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Does anyone really believe that the answer to what ails us is more government spending or yet another government program?

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• afflict 
• bother