adjective
ailing
AY-lihng
Ailing (adjective) means Sick or unwell, often over a long period. Example: “She stayed home to care for her ailing grandmother.”
adjective
1
Sick or unwell, often over a long period.
"Based on the successful Class 59 but with a much more modern engine, what was to become the Class 66 was designed to replace much of the company's elderly and ailing locomotive fleet."
— , Fleet News: Class 66 history (2021)
"She stayed home to care for her ailing grandmother."
"The company's ailing finances forced it to close two stores."
"She cared for her ailing brother day in, day out."
How to use ailing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUnwell or in poor condition — used for people's health or, figuratively, for struggling businesses and economies.
Common pairings
ailing health
ailing economy
ailing industry
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Word forms
- Plural
- ailings
- Comparative
- more ailing
- Superlative
- most ailing
Fill the gap
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She stayed home to care for her _____ grandmother.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for ailing
See all rhymes for ailing →Frequently asked questions
What does “ailing” mean?
The word “ailing” means sick or unwell, often over a long period. In plain terms, unwell or in poor condition — used for people's health or, figuratively, for struggling businesses and economies.
How do you pronounce “ailing”?
“Ailing” is pronounced AY-lihng (/ˈeɪ.lɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ailing” in a sentence?
Here is “ailing” used in a sentence: “She stayed home to care for her ailing grandmother.”
What part of speech is “ailing”?
“Ailing” is an adjective.
