ailment

American  

[eyl-muhnt] / ˈeɪl mənt /

noun

1. a physical disorder or illness, especially of a minor or chronic nature.

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ailment British  

/ ˈeɪlmənt /

noun

1. a slight but often persistent illness

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Etymology

Origin of ailment

First recorded in 1700–10; ail + -ment

Explanation

If you've got a rash or a persistent cough, you can call that an ailment. Some other common ailments are allergies or chronic headaches. They can be a real pain. Literally. The word ailment comes from the Old English eglan meaning "to trouble, plague, afflict," and the suffix -ment from the Latin mentum, which when added to the end of word describing an action turns that word into the result of that action. So the result of something that troubles, plagues or afflicts you is an ailment — a pain or discomfort that just doesn't seem to go away.

Example Sentences

But these two suffer from the same ailment - they're strikers who are not very good at striking the ball into an opponent's net no matter who they're playing for.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

The FDA also requires that a drug be tested for its ability to treat a named ailment rather than something more general like “aging.”

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

Manufacturers are prohibited from making claims about treating or preventing disease, but influencers have sold the idea that buying the right products can fend off or cure almost any ailment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

The longer he spent recording guitar parts for “Megadeth,” the more his ailment interfered with his playing.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

She held the hand of a younger child whose eyes were thick with yellow mucus; it was a common ailment of new ones, quickly healed with herbal mixtures.

From "Messenger" by Lois Lowry

Related Words

• ache
• condition
• disease
• disorder
• flu
• illness
• malady
• syndrome