Word
analgesic
Phoneticsanal·gesic
US/ˌænəɫˈdʒisɪk/
UK/ˌænɐldʒˈiːzɪk/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a type of medicine that you take to reduce or stop pain. You might use one for a headache or after an injury.
n. a drug or substance specifically formulated to relieve pain without causing loss of consciousness. Often categorized into non-opioid and opioid varieties in clinical settings.
Examples
“The doctor gave me a strong analgesic for my back pain.”
“After the minor surgery, the patient was prescribed a mild analgesic to manage any discomfort during the first few days of recovery.”
“While paracetamol is a common over-the-counter analgesic, chronic pain management often requires a combination of therapies to avoid the side effects associated with long-term medication use.”
Examples
simple
“The doctor gave me a strong analgesic for my back pain.”
contextual
“After the minor surgery, the patient was prescribed a mild analgesic to manage any discomfort during the first few days of recovery.”
complex
“While paracetamol is a common over-the-counter analgesic, chronic pain management often requires a combination of therapies to avoid the side effects associated with long-term medication use.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “analgesic” in context.
Verb
01. administer analgesic
“The nurse will administer an analgesic to help manage your discomfort.”
verb + noun
02. analgesic works
“It usually takes about thirty minutes before the analgesic works.”
noun + verb
03. prescribe analgesic
“Doctors often prescribe analgesics to patients recovering from major surgery.”
verb + noun
04. take analgesic
“You should not take an analgesic on an empty stomach.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. mild analgesic
“For a simple headache, a mild analgesic like aspirin should be sufficient.”
adj + noun
06. narcotic analgesic
“Patients must be monitored closely when prescribed a narcotic analgesic.”
adj + noun
07. potent analgesic
“Morphine is a potent analgesic used primarily for severe post-operative pain.”
adj + noun
08. topical analgesic
“The doctor recommended a topical analgesic cream to soothe the muscle strain.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. dose of analgesic
“The patient required a second dose of analgesic after four hours.”
noun + prep + noun
10. over-the-counter analgesic
“Most minor aches can be treated with an over-the-counter analgesic.”
11. prescribe a strong analgesic
“The specialist decided to prescribe a strong analgesic for the chronic back pain.”
Usage
Commonly used in medical or pharmaceutical contexts; 'painkiller' is the everyday equivalent.
Real-World Examples
“Ginger also has analgesic properties and may help reduce muscle pain and soreness," says Daniels.” “However, the Aztec codices also tell us that they put chilli on their teeth to kill toothache pain, and the use of capsaicin as an analgesic also continues to this day.” “Doctor and medical columnist Thomas Stuttaford says he thinks ibuprofen is a reasonable analgesic and anti-inflammatory - but it has more side effects than people realise.” “It's one of the best analgesics we have and the brain's influence can either vastly increase its effect, or completely remove it.” Etymology
From New Latin analgesia, meaning the absence of pain, plus the suffix -ic. The term is constructed from the Ancient Greek prefix an-, meaning without, and álgēsis, meaning sense of pain, derived from álgos, or pain. It shares its lineage with the suffix -algia.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
Domain
- 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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