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

---

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

---

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

Even if the U.S. were able to oust Maduro, the resulting turmoil would hardly create the right conditions to improve the country’s ailing oil industry, Oxford Analytica noted.

From Barron's

When Luka Doncic sustained a left leg contusion and sat out the entire second half Saturday against the Clippers, he became the latest in a growing list of ailing Lakers players.

From Los Angeles Times

The 61-year-old, who at one stage owned a minority stake in Rangers, has been linked with investment in several ailing clubs in recent seasons, including Derby County and Coventry City.

From BBC

After eight years as a military policeman, including a deployment to the Balkans, and a second career as a defense contractor in Colorado, Tartt moved back home in 2012 to help his ailing mother.

From The Wall Street Journal

Almost immediately after a thrilling overtime victory against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, Justin Herbert went in for imaging and X-rays on his ailing left hand.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• afflict
• bother