noun
ailment
AYL-muhnt
Ailment (noun) means an illness, especially a minor or ongoing one. Example: “The clinic treats everything from colds to chronic ailments.”
noun
1
An illness, especially a minor or ongoing one.
"The clinic treats everything from colds to chronic ailments."
"His main ailment was a persistent back problem."
How to use ailment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA health problem or illness, often used for something ongoing rather than a sudden, serious disease.
Common pairings
common ailment
minor ailment
chronic ailment
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Word forms
- Plural
- ailments
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The clinic treats everything from colds to chronic _____.
Etymology
From the verb "ail" (to trouble or afflict) plus the noun-forming suffix "-ment."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for ailment
See all rhymes for ailment →Frequently asked questions
What does “ailment” mean?
The word “ailment” means an illness, especially a minor or ongoing one. In plain terms, a health problem or illness, often used for something ongoing rather than a sudden, serious disease.
How do you pronounce “ailment”?
“Ailment” is pronounced AYL-muhnt (/ˈeɪ̯lmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “ailment” in a sentence?
Here is “ailment” used in a sentence: “The clinic treats everything from colds to chronic ailments.”
What part of speech is “ailment”?
“Ailment” is a noun.
