arthritic

American

[ahr-thrit-ik] / ɑrˈθrɪt ɪk /

adjective

relating to, having, or experiencing arthritis.
creaky, slow-moving, misshapen, etc., as if affected with arthritis: The road was overhung with what looked like arthritic trees, warped and bent to the whims of the wind.

The next few days passed at the speed of an arthritic tortoise.
The road was overhung with what looked like arthritic trees, warped and bent to the whims of the wind.

noun

a person with arthritis.

Other Word Forms

antiarthritic adjective
arthritically adverb
postarthritic adjective

Etymology

Origin of arthritic

First recorded in 1325–75; from Latin arthrīticus, from Greek arthrītikós; replacing Middle English artetik, from Old French artetique, from Latin, as above; see arthr-, -itic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But in 2024, she underwent surgery to rebuild her arthritic right knee, if only to improve her day-to-day life in retirement.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 2026

Perhaps surprisingly, given the inflammatory pathways discussed above, the researchers also found a heightened risk of arthritic disorders in patients using GLP-1 drugs, compared to usual treatment.

From Salon • Jan. 24, 2025

An arthritic joint may be uncomfortable to strength train, but inactivity leads to stiffness, which can make pain worse.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 9, 2024

Inflammation of this tissue is implicated in the onset and progression of arthritic diseases such as rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

From Science Daily • Oct. 12, 2023

Now thirteen years old, he’s gone white in the muzzle and hobbles around with an arthritic limp.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023