malady
MAL-uh-dee
Malady (noun) means a disease or illness, especially one that is chronic or deep-rooted. Example: “The doctors struggled to diagnose his rare malady.”
noun
1
A disease or illness, especially one that is chronic or deep-rooted.
"The doctors struggled to diagnose his rare malady."
"Years of poor diet had left her with a lingering malady."
2
A moral, social, or mental problem, used figuratively.
"Corruption is a malady that has infected the whole system."
How to use malady
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal word for an illness — often used figuratively for a deep-seated problem in a society or system.
When to use it
More literary and formal than "illness" or "disease."
Common pairings
a chronic malady
a social malady
suffer from a malady
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Word forms
- Plural
- maladies
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The doctors struggled to diagnose his rare _____.
Etymology
From Old French maladie, "sickness," from malade, "sick," which traces back to Latin male habitus, literally "kept in a bad state."
Related words
Rhymes for malady
See all rhymes for malady →Frequently asked questions
What does “malady” mean?
The word “malady” means a disease or illness, especially one that is chronic or deep-rooted. In plain terms, a formal word for an illness — often used figuratively for a deep-seated problem in a society or system.
How do you pronounce “malady”?
“Malady” is pronounced MAL-uh-dee (/ˈmæl.ə.di/ in IPA).
How do you use “malady” in a sentence?
Here is “malady” used in a sentence: “The doctors struggled to diagnose his rare malady.”
What is another word for “malady”?
Words with a similar meaning to “malady” include ailment, disease, disorder, distemper, illness and sickness.
What part of speech is “malady”?
“Malady” is a noun.
Where does the word “malady” come from?
The word “malady” comes from Latin. From Old French maladie, "sickness," from malade, "sick," which traces back to Latin male habitus, literally "kept in a bad state.".
How many meanings does “malady” have?
“Malady” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a disease or illness, especially one that is chronic or deep-rooted.
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