ail

American  

[eyl] / eɪl /

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

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verb (used without object)

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

   He's been ailing for some time.

ail British  

/ eɪl /

verb

1. (tr) to trouble; afflict

2. (intr) to feel unwell

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Etymology

Origin of ail

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

Example Sentences

Down by 18 points in the second quarter, the ailing Mavericks had nearly pulled off an improbable comeback.

From Barron's

"My husband's got dementia, so I have had a lot of background," a visibly moved actress Anna Calder-Marshall, who plays the ailing mother in the film, told a press conference.

From Barron's

Tandy spent six years as Scotland's defence chief before returning to his native Wales last year to take charge of the ailing national side.

From Barron's

As an impoverished and ailing Mozart struggles to complete his “Requiem” before his death at the age of 35, Salieri is torn between his fidelity to music and his loyalty to his own career.

From Los Angeles Times

MPs have been presented with proposals to refurbish the ailing Palace of Westminster, including a plan that could cost almost £40bn and take 61 years to complete.

From BBC

Related Words

• afflict
• bother