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

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.

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That evening, I wrote an essay about what the crisis and shattering of norms would mean for America’s ailing democracy.

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On Tuesday, the court rejected the application against the transfer of the ailing elephant, saying an independent inquiry had already cleared authorities of the charges.

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But now, between better health and improving at-bat quality, they finally see a way to fix their ailing offense.

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Support for Reform might be thought to be simply a protest vote by an electorate fed up with slow growth, an ailing health service, and high levels of immigration.

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Related Words

• afflict 
• bother