# ailment

/ˈeɪɫmənt/ (US) · /ˈeɪlmənt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ailment
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a medical problem or a physical illness. It is a slightly formal word that you might hear in a doctor's office or in a story.

For teachers: a medical condition or physical illness. Often used in a literary or formal context to describe a specific health issue.

## Examples

- The doctor treated the patient's minor ailment with rest.
- While the athlete's injury was serious, his previous ailments were nothing more than common colds.
- The protagonist's journey is marked by a series of minor ailments that serve as metaphors for his growing sense of isolation and physical decay.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.