ailing

American  

[ey-ling] / ˈeɪ lɪŋ /

adjective

1. sickly; unwell.

2. unsound or troubled.

   a financially ailing corporation.

---

ailing British  

/ ˈeɪlɪŋ /

adjective

1. unwell or unsuccessful

---

Etymology

Origin of ailing

First recorded in 1590–1600; ail + -ing ²

Explanation

Someone who's ailing is sick. You might visit your ailing grandmother in the hospital. You can use the adjective ailing to describe someone who's very ill, or use it figuratively, to talk about "our ailing economy," or "the ailing school system." The next time you call in sick to work, you might say, "I can't come in today — I'm afraid I'm ailing." Ailing comes from the verb ail, "trouble or afflict," from the Old English eglan, "to trouble, plague, or pain."

Example Sentences

Pezeshkian turned to Araghchi to help deliver his promise of sanctions relief for the ailing economy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

He defeated ailing eighth-ranked American Ben Shelton in the third round on Sunday to improve his record against top-10 players to 6-5 — an impressive stat for someone so green.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

Baden-Wuerttemberg is home to some of the biggest names of Germany's important but ailing car industry, such as Porsche and Mercedes-Benz.

From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026

MPs and peers have been presented with proposals to refurbish the ailing Palace of Westminster and will decide what to do, in votes that are yet to be scheduled.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

As the program developed, however, it was more like a coup de grace for an already ailing district.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Related Words

• diseased
• feeble
• ill
• sickly
• weak