English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun Uncommon

arthritis

ah-THRIH-tihs

Arthritis (noun) means Painful inflammation and stiffness in one or more joints. Example: “Her arthritis makes it hard to open jars in the morning.”

noun
1
Painful inflammation and stiffness in one or more joints.
"Her arthritis makes it hard to open jars in the morning."

How to use arthritis

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA condition causing sore, swollen, and stiff joints.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
rheumatoid arthritis suffer from arthritis arthritis in the knees

Word forms

arthritides plural, arthritises plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “arthritis” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Her _____ makes it hard to open jars in the morning.

Etymology

From Greek arthritis, "joint disease," from arthron, "a joint," plus the medical suffix -itis, "inflammation."

Origin: Greek

joint inflammation rheumatism

Related words

Rhymes for arthritis

See all rhymes for arthritis →

Frequently asked questions

What does “arthritis” mean?

The word “arthritis” means painful inflammation and stiffness in one or more joints. In plain terms, a condition causing sore, swollen, and stiff joints.

How do you pronounce “arthritis”?

“Arthritis” is pronounced ah-THRIH-tihs (/ɑɹˈθɹ(a)ɪtɪs/ in IPA).

How do you use “arthritis” in a sentence?

Here is “arthritis” used in a sentence: “Her arthritis makes it hard to open jars in the morning.”

What part of speech is “arthritis”?

“Arthritis” is a noun.

Where does the word “arthritis” come from?

The word “arthritis” comes from Greek. From Greek arthritis, "joint disease," from arthron, "a joint," plus the medical suffix -itis, "inflammation.".

Is “arthritis” a common word?

“Arthritis” is an uncommon word in modern English.

What is the difference between arthritis and joint pain?

Joint pain is a general symptom that can have many causes, while arthritis specifically refers to painful inflammation and stiffness in one or more joints. Arthritis is a cause of joint pain, but not all joint pain is caused by arthritis.

What are common signs someone might have arthritis?

Common signs include pain, inflammation, and stiffness in one or more joints, which may make movement difficult. These symptoms can affect any joint in the body and may vary in severity.

Can arthritis affect more than one joint at a time?

Yes, arthritis is defined as painful inflammation and stiffness that can occur in one or more joints simultaneously. It is not limited to a single joint.

Featured in

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial