Word
bedridden
Phoneticsbedrid·den
US/ˈbɛˌdɹɪdən/
UK/bˈɛdɹɪdən/
Definition
adj. unable to get out of bed for a long time because you are very sick or hurt.
adj. confined to bed for an extended period due to serious illness, injury, or infirmity. Implies prolonged incapacity rather than brief rest.
Examples
“Her grandfather is bedridden after his fall.”
“After the surgery, she is bedridden for two weeks while a nurse visits daily.”
“The novelist remains bedridden for months with a spinal injury and dictates chapters from memory.”
Examples
simple
“Her grandfather is bedridden after his fall.”
contextual
“After the surgery, she is bedridden for two weeks while a nurse visits daily.”
complex
“The novelist remains bedridden for months with a spinal injury and dictates chapters from memory.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “bedridden” in context.
Verb
01. become bedridden
“Many elderly people become bedridden after a serious fall.”
verb + adj
02. bedridden after stroke
“Her father was bedridden after a stroke and needed daily care.”
adj + prep + noun
03. bedridden for months
“He was bedridden for months after the car crash.”
adj + prep + noun
04. bedridden with arthritis
“His mother has been bedridden with arthritis for two years.”
adj + prep + noun
05. leave bedridden
“The stroke left him bedridden and unable to speak.”
verb + adj
Adjective
06. completely bedridden
“She was completely bedridden for weeks with a severe infection.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. bedridden parent
“She gave up work to care for her bedridden parent.”
adj + noun
08. bedridden patient
“The nurse visits the bedridden patient every morning.”
adj + noun
09. bedridden relative
“They take turns looking after their bedridden relative.”
adj + noun
10. bedridden with chronic pain
“She has been bedridden with chronic pain since winter.”
11. care for a bedridden parent
“It is exhausting to care for a bedridden parent alone.”
12. left bedridden after stroke
“Her uncle was left bedridden after stroke and needs full-time care.”
Real-World Examples
“Being bedridden and not being able to do anything is incredibly difficult, so I'm quite sad all the time," Maia, 27, said.” Etymology
From Middle English bedredyn, bedraden, bedreden, bæddrædæn (also as bedreede, bedrede), from Old English bedreda (“bedridden”, adj.), from bedreda, bedrida, bæddryda (“one who is bedridden”, noun), from bed, bedd (“bed”) + rida (“rider”), with -en by analogy with past participle adjectives.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/bedridden