neuralgia

American  

[noo-ral-juh, nyoo-] / nʊˈræl dʒə, nyʊ- /

noun

Pathology.

1. sharp and paroxysmal pain along the course of a nerve.

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neuralgia British  

/ njʊˈrældʒɪə /

noun

1. severe spasmodic pain caused by damage to or malfunctioning of a nerve and often following the course of the nerve

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unneuralgic
  adjective
• postneuralgic
  adjective
• neuralgic
  adjective
• antineuralgic
  adjective
• preneuralgic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of neuralgia

First recorded in 1815–25; neur- + -algia

Example Sentences

Vaccination, which has typically been recommended for older adults, reduces the likelihood of shingles and lowers the risk of postherpetic neuralgia, or long-term nerve pain that can persist after the rash clears.

From Science Daily • Feb. 26, 2026

The FDA approved it in 2002 for post-herpetic neuralgia, or nerve pain after shingles.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 25, 2025

Trigeminal neuralgia is a rare chronic-pain disorder that affects nerves in the head and face, resulting in severe and sudden pain, according to the National Institutes of Health.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 2, 2023

They were quite familiar with trigeminal neuralgia, the wife explained, because she had it just a couple of years before.

From New York Times • Dec. 15, 2021

“I am still tortured a good deal with neuralgia and toothache,” Olmsted wrote, “and I am tired and have a growing dread of worry & anxiety.”

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson