noun

colic

KOL-ihk

Colic (noun) means severe, cramping pain in the abdomen, often linked to the digestive system. Example: “The horse was doubled over with colic and needed a vet urgently.”

noun

Severe, cramping pain in the abdomen, often linked to the digestive system.

"The horse was doubled over with colic and needed a vet urgently."

Frequent, prolonged crying in an otherwise healthy baby, usually with no clear medical cause.

"Their newborn had colic and cried for hours every evening."

How to Use Colic

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPainful stomach cramping — in babies, it means unexplained bouts of crying.

Common pairings

infant colic a bout of colic

Word Forms

colics plural

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The horse was doubled over with _____ and needed a vet urgently.

Etymology

From French colique, ultimately from Greek kolikos, "suffering in the colon".

Origin: French

Rhymes for colic

frolic Catholic systolic symbolic apostolic alcoholic metabolic parabolic workaholic melancholic

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “colic” mean?

The word “colic” means severe, cramping pain in the abdomen, often linked to the digestive system. In plain terms, painful stomach cramping — in babies, it means unexplained bouts of crying.

How do you pronounce “colic”?

“Colic” is pronounced KOL-ihk (/ˈkɒl.ɪk/ in IPA).

How do you use “colic” in a sentence?

Here is “colic” used in a sentence: “The horse was doubled over with colic and needed a vet urgently.”

What part of speech is “colic”?

“Colic” is a noun.

Where does the word “colic” come from?

The word “colic” comes from French. From French colique, ultimately from Greek kolikos, "suffering in the colon".

How many meanings does “colic” have?

“Colic” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: severe, cramping pain in the abdomen, often linked to the digestive system.