arthritis

American  

[ahr-thrahy-tis] / ɑrˈθraɪ tɪs /

noun

1. acute or chronic inflammation of a joint, often accompanied by pain and structural changes and having diverse causes, as infection, crystal deposition, or injury.

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arthritis British  

/ ɑːˈθraɪtɪs, ɑːˈθrɪtɪk /

noun

1. inflammation of a joint or joints characterized by pain and stiffness of the affected parts, caused by gout, rheumatic fever, etc See also rheumatoid arthritis

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arthritis Scientific  

/ är-thrī′tĭs /

1. Acute or chronic inflammation of one or more joints, usually accompanied by pain and stiffness, resulting from infection, trauma, degenerative changes, autoimmune disease, or other causes.

2. See also osteoarthritis rheumatoid arthritis

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arthritis Cultural  

1. The inflammation of tissues in the joints (such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis), usually resulting in pain and stiffness.

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Usage

Rather than talking about an arthritic or arthritics , it is better to talk about a person with arthritis and people with arthritis

Other Word Forms

• arthritic adjective

Etymology

Origin of arthritis

First recorded in 1535–45; from New Latin, from Greek: “gout,” from árthr(on) “joint” ( arthro- ) + -ītis -itis

Compare meaning

How does arthritis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• rheumatism vs. arthritis

Example Sentences

Now 41, the league’s new leader in regular-season and playoff wins was questionable to play in his second game in as many nights while managing left foot arthritis.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

This may help explain why we saw strong associations with inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis and arthritis.

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

Many doctors and medical experts say there was never any definitive evidence that the old vaccine caused serious side effects such as arthritis or neurological problems.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Lyla said when she was told she had arthritis at Christmas in 2024, she faced the challenge of adjusting to a condition she knew very little about.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

They have saved up for this trip and they are damn well going to enjoy it, despite the arthritis of one, the swollen legs of the other.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood