Ailment Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：minor illness (ailment)

ailment 🔊

/ˈeɪlmənt/

a small health problem that makes you feel a bit unwell but isn't serious.

Ailment illustrated by a mother checking her child's forehead for fever at home

minor illness 🔊

➕

/ˈmaɪnər ˈɪlnəs/

An ailment is a minor health problem that causes some discomfort but is not severe or life-threatening.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old French 'aillier' (to harm) + suffix '-ment' forming a noun.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'ail' (to cause pain) + 'ment' (condition), so ailment is a painful condition.

📖 Example

The old man mentioned his ailment - a bit of arthritis - to his friends during their morning walk. 🔊 The old man told his friends about his minor health issue, arthritis, during their morning walk.

🔗 Collocations

common ailment – a frequently occurring minor health problem

minor ailment – a small health issue that is not serious

treat an ailment – to provide medical care for a minor illness

🔄 Synonyms

disorder (n.) – a minor illness or medical condition

malady (n.) – a disease or ailment, often used for minor issues

complaint (n.) – a minor health problem that someone mentions

🚫 Antonyms

health (n.) – the state of being free from illness or injury

wellness (n.) – the state of being in good health

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Old French 'aillier', meaning to harm, from Latin 'ad-' + 'lacere'. In modern English, it commonly refers to minor health issues in casual conversation.