Word
affliction
Phoneticsaf·flic·tion, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈfɫɪkʃən/
UK/ɐflˈɪkʃən/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. something that causes pain or suffering, like a disease or a very difficult problem.
n. a cause of persistent pain, distress, or suffering; often refers to a chronic physical ailment or a deep-seated social problem.
Examples
“The old man suffered from a painful affliction in his joints.”
“The government is struggling to find a solution for the affliction of poverty in rural areas.”
“In many classic novels, the protagonist must overcome a physical or spiritual affliction to achieve a state of grace or wisdom by the final chapter.”
Examples
simple
“The old man suffered from a painful affliction in his joints.”
contextual
“The government is struggling to find a solution for the affliction of poverty in rural areas.”
complex
“In many classic novels, the protagonist must overcome a physical or spiritual affliction to achieve a state of grace or wisdom by the final chapter.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “affliction” in context.
Verb
01. affliction plagues
“The same affliction plagues the community every winter season.”
noun + verb
02. affliction strikes
“When the affliction strikes, the patient often loses all muscle control.”
noun + verb
03. ease affliction
“The new medication helped to ease the affliction of the suffering patients.”
verb + noun
04. remedy affliction
“Social reforms were introduced to remedy the affliction of urban poverty.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. chronic affliction
“Arthritis is a chronic affliction that affects millions of elderly people.”
adj + noun
06. common affliction
“Back pain is a common affliction among office workers who sit for long periods.”
adj + noun
07. grievous affliction
“The loss of his sight was a grievous affliction that he bore with great dignity.”
adj + noun
08. mysterious affliction
“Doctors were unable to identify the mysterious affliction causing his fatigue.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. nature of affliction
“The precise nature of his affliction remained a closely guarded secret.”
noun + prep + noun
10. a source of great affliction
“His daughter's illness was a source of great affliction to him.”
11. affliction of the soul
“The poet described deep melancholy as a profound affliction of the soul.”
12. bear an affliction
“She bore her affliction with remarkable courage and never complained.”
Usage
Countable when referring to a specific ailment or problem; uncountable when referring to the state of suffering.
Real-World Examples
“But Borrowing Trouble proves that, in the right hands, even the most tormenting of mental afflictions can be captivatingly funny.” “Onchocerciasis is one of 21 afflictions, most of them treatable and preventable, that the World Health Organization classifies as neglected tropical diseases.” “It was her wish, or her need, to undergo misery, affliction and deprivation because such had been the lot of mankind throughout history.” “The powerful opioid is not made in Ethiopia and shortages of imported medicines mean it has disappeared from pharmacy shelves, leaving many to suffer from this affliction.” Etymology
From Middle English affliction, affliccioun, from Old French afliction, borrowed from Latin afflīctiōnem, from affligere, whence English afflict.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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