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noun Uncommon

affliction

uh-FLIHK-shuhn

Affliction (noun) means a condition or event that causes ongoing pain, suffering, or hardship. Example: “Chronic pain has been a lifelong affliction for him.”

noun
1
A condition or event that causes ongoing pain, suffering, or hardship.
"Chronic pain has been a lifelong affliction for him."
"The famine was one of the worst afflictions the region ever faced."

How to Use Affliction

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA source of ongoing suffering, whether an illness, hardship, or painful situation.

Common pairings
a chronic affliction suffer an affliction

Word Forms

afflictions plural

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Chronic pain has been a lifelong _____ for him.

Etymology

From Old French afliction, from Latin afflictio, "torment," from the verb affligere, "to strike or beat down" — related to "af-" plus "fligere," to strike.

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for affliction

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “affliction” mean?

The word “affliction” means a condition or event that causes ongoing pain, suffering, or hardship. In plain terms, a source of ongoing suffering, whether an illness, hardship, or painful situation.

How do you pronounce “affliction”?

“Affliction” is pronounced uh-FLIHK-shuhn (/əˈflɪk.ʃən/ in IPA).

How do you use “affliction” in a sentence?

Here is “affliction” used in a sentence: “Chronic pain has been a lifelong affliction for him.”

What part of speech is “affliction”?

“Affliction” is a noun.

Where does the word “affliction” come from?

The word “affliction” comes from Latin. From Old French afliction, from Latin afflictio, "torment," from the verb affligere, "to strike or beat down" — related to "af-" plus "fligere," to strike.

Is “affliction” a common word?

“Affliction” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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