Showing results for "ailing"

• present participle of ail.

ailing

American  

[ey-ling] / ˈeɪ lɪŋ /

adjective

1. sickly; unwell.

2. unsound or troubled.

   a financially ailing corporation.

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ailing British  

/ ˈeɪlɪŋ /

adjective

1. unwell or unsuccessful

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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

With the Japanese yen reaching a 40-year low on Tuesday, investors are eyeing when the country’s authorities may stage an intervention to bolster its ailing currency.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 30, 2026

It is the latest bad news from Germany's ailing auto sector, and a major blow for a manufacturer which had so far endured industry upheaval better than its peers Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz.

From Barron's • Jun. 16, 2026

However, the aquatic mammal was already considered ailing and close to death when a final, last-ditch attempt was made earlier in May.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

“Primary Trust,” which is receiving its L.A. premiere at the Mark Taper Forum, is a tonic for ailing spirits.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

His natural empathy and experience with the horses of the bullring circuit had given him insight into the minds of ailing, nervous horses.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

• diseased
• feeble
• ill
• sickly
• weak