Word
colic
Phoneticscol·ic
UK/kˈɒlɪk/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. strong stomach pain that comes and goes in waves. You hear it most about babies who cry for a long time because their belly hurts.
n. severe, cramping pain in the abdomen caused by muscle spasms in the intestines or other hollow organs. Most often used for prolonged, unexplained crying in young infants attributed to digestive discomfort.
Examples
“The baby has colic and cries every evening.”
“The new parents take turns holding their son, who has colic and screams for hours after each feeding.”
“Although infant colic usually resolves on its own within a few months, the relentless evening crying can exhaust even the most patient caregivers.”
Examples
simple
“The baby has colic and cries every evening.”
contextual
“The new parents take turns holding their son, who has colic and screams for hours after each feeding.”
complex
“Although infant colic usually resolves on its own within a few months, the relentless evening crying can exhaust even the most patient caregivers.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “colic” in context.
Verb
01. colic persists
“If colic persists beyond four months, consult your paediatrician.”
noun + verb
02. colic strikes
“Colic often strikes in the late afternoon or evening.”
noun + verb
03. colic subsides
“Colic usually subsides on its own by the age of four months.”
noun + verb
04. diagnose colic
“The doctor diagnosed colic after ruling out other causes.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. acute colic
“She doubled over with acute colic during the night.”
adj + noun
06. biliary colic
“Fatty meals can trigger biliary colic in patients with gallstones.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. attack of colic
“He was rushed to A&E with a sudden attack of colic.”
noun + prep + noun
08. bout of colic
“The baby woke screaming with a bout of colic.”
noun + prep + noun
09. case of colic
“The doctor confirmed a mild case of colic.”
noun + prep + noun
10. episode of colic
“Each episode of colic lasted almost three hours.”
noun + prep + noun
11. colic subsides by four months
“In most infants, colic subsides by four months without treatment.”
12. have a bout of colic
“She had a bout of colic that kept her awake all night.”
Real-World Examples
“Currently, there are no proven treatments for infant colic, which is generally characterized by excessive crying and fussing for over three hours daily.” Etymology
Borrowed from French colique. Ultimately derived from Ancient Greek κωλικός (kōlikós, “suffering in the colon”, adjective).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
- 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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