Word
migraine
Phoneticsmi·graine, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmaɪˌɡɹeɪn/
UK/mˈaɪɡɹeɪn/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a very strong headache that often makes you feel sick or sensitive to light. It can last for several hours or even days.
n. a recurrent throbbing headache that typically affects one side of the head and is often accompanied by nausea and disturbed vision.
Examples
“She had to stay in a dark room because of her migraine.”
“Many people who suffer from migraines find that certain foods or stress can trigger a painful episode.”
“While over-the-counter painkillers may help mild cases, chronic migraine often requires specialized medication to manage the neurological symptoms and reduce the frequency of attacks.”
Examples
simple
“She had to stay in a dark room because of her migraine.”
contextual
“Many people who suffer from migraines find that certain foods or stress can trigger a painful episode.”
complex
“While over-the-counter painkillers may help mild cases, chronic migraine often requires specialized medication to manage the neurological symptoms and reduce the frequency of attacks.”
Usage
Often used with the verbs 'have', 'get', or 'suffer from'.
Real-World Examples
“When a headache started clouding her brain, Nika thought it was a migraine.” “She met her partner Pete, a steward, at work, but soon after she began experiencing severe migraines and sought medical help.” Etymology
First appears c. 1425. A respelling (following French) of the late 14th century Middle English megrim, from the 13th century Old French migraigne, from Vulgar Latin pronunciation of Latin hemicrania (“a pain in one half of the head”), from Ancient Greek ἡμικρανία (hēmikranía), from ἡμι- (hēmi-, “hemi-, half”) + κρανίον (kraníon, “the skull”) (whence also cranium), a calque of Egyptian gs-tp (“a headache”), from gs (“half”) + tp (“the head”), although the link between the Egyptian magical papyri and the Greek ἡμικρανία (hēmikranía) could be purely incidental. Cognate to megrim, hemicrania.
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.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 C1.785–944EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Pre-1
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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