headache
HEH-dayk
Headache (noun) means a pain in the head. Example: “I have a terrible headache, so I am going to lie down.”
noun
1
A pain in the head.
"I have a terrible headache, so I am going to lie down."
"Staring at the screen all day gives him a headache."
"I have a splitting headache after that party last night."
"I advise you to take some painkillers for the headache, it's probably nothing serious."
"She took an aspirin for her headache."
"CNN spoke recently with several Conyers residents who said they still have blurry vision, shortness of breath, throat irritation or chronic headaches since the chemical plant fire."
— Chris Boyette, Investigators release update on BioLab chemical plant fire probe (2024)
2
An annoying problem or source of stress.
"Finding a parking space in the town centre is a daily headache."
"The missing paperwork was a big headache for the whole office."
"Renewing the visa turned into a real headache."
How to use headache
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPain in your head, or informally, any frustrating hassle.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
splitting headache
give someone a headache
tension headache
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Word forms
- Plural
- headaches
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Can you complete this real example?
I have a terrible _____, so I am going to lie down.
Etymology
From Old English heafodece, literally "head-ache."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for headache
See all rhymes for headache →Frequently asked questions
What does “headache” mean?
The word “headache” means a pain in the head. In plain terms, pain in your head, or informally, any frustrating hassle.
How do you pronounce “headache”?
“Headache” is pronounced HEH-dayk (/ˈhɛdeɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “headache” in a sentence?
Here is “headache” used in a sentence: “She took an aspirin for her headache.”
What part of speech is “headache”?
“Headache” is a noun.
Where does the word “headache” come from?
The word “headache” comes from Old English. From Old English heafodece, literally "head-ache.".
Is “headache” a common word?
“Headache” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “headache” have?
“Headache” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a pain in the head.
What is the difference between a headache and a migraine?
A headache is a general term for pain in the head, while a migraine is a specific, often severe and recurring type of headache that may come with other symptoms such as nausea or sensitivity to light. All migraines involve head pain, but not every headache is a migraine.
When is headache used to mean a problem rather than physical pain?
In its figurative sense, headache refers to an annoying problem or source of stress, as in "the paperwork was a real headache." The context — a situation rather than the body — signals the problem meaning rather than physical pain.
Do you 'have' a headache or 'get' a headache?
Both are correct. You "have a headache" to describe the current state, and you "get a headache" to describe its onset, as in "I get a headache when I read in the dark."
What are common collocations with headache?
Common pairings include splitting headache, pounding headache, and terrible headache for the pain sense. For the figurative sense, people often say something is a "real headache" or "gives me a headache."
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