ailment

USAGE SUMMARY

'ailment' is an accepted and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to any physical or mental illness, such as a cold, flu, cancer, depression, or anxiety. For example, "She was suffering from an unknown ailment, so she decided to go to the doctor for a checkup."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of course, I had diagnosed her with that everyday ailment "false consiousness".

The Guardian - Opinion

Last week a kidney ailment worsened and he was admitted to Kingston Hospital, where he suffered a heart attack.

The Guardian

The move will be welcomed by many of the millions of patients with the ailment, which brings widespread misery and costs the country billions of pounds in sick leave, welfare bills and medical treatment.

The Guardian

Sometimes having a diagnosis for an ailment makes the symptoms much more palatable.

The Guardian

That is a high hurdle to clear, especially if the health problem is a general ailment such as heart disease.

The Economist

And if they can be coaxed or cajoled into work they may sue if they feel their employer hasn't taken their ailment seriously enough.In Britain, stress has attracted the attention of the government.

The Economist

This is a common ailment in the region.

The Economist

Her ailment was incurable.

The Economist

But the earliest victory may be against an ailment with no vaccine or treatment.

The Economist

Next come three fellow members of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC Saudi Arabia (16.7%), Bahrain (15.2%) and Kuwait (14.4%).The ailment is one unhappy consequence of the region's economic transformation.

The Economist

The PLA's culture of secrecy allowed the unmonitored spread of SARS, an often fatal respiratory ailment, in the army's medical system in 2003.Carrier tradeThe PLA knows its weaknesses.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a non-serious condition, "ailment" can soften the impact compared to terms like "disease" or "illness". Use it to downplay the severity of a temporary health issue.

Common error

Avoid using "ailment" for severe or life-threatening conditions. Terms like "disease" or "condition" are more appropriate in such cases. Saying someone has an "ailment" when they have cancer is misleading.

Linguistic Context

The word "ailment" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a physical or mental disorder, typically one that is not life-threatening. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing various health issues, from kidney problems to respiratory conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "ailment" is a common noun used to describe a health problem or illness. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted. The term is versatile and can be used in various contexts, although it is most frequently found in news and media. While "ailment" is generally appropriate for describing minor health issues, it's essential to avoid using it for severe or life-threatening conditions. Related terms include "health problem", "medical condition", and "illness". Remember to consider the severity of the condition when choosing the most appropriate word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

illness

A general term for a state of being unwell.

sickness

A broad term for feeling unwell or having poor health.

disease

Implies a more specific and diagnosed medical issue.

health issue

A broad term referring to any concern related to health and well-being.

health problem

Emphasizes the aspect of a problem affecting health.

medical condition

Focuses on the clinical or medical nature of the issue.

disorder

Suggests a disturbance in normal bodily or mental functions.

medical issue

A more general term encompassing any problem related to health.

complaint

Highlights the symptoms or issues reported by a patient.

physical problem

Focuses specifically on issues affecting the body.

FAQs

How can I use "ailment" in a sentence?

You can use "ailment" to refer to a minor illness or health problem. For example, "She visited the doctor to determine the cause of her persistent ailment."

What are some synonyms for "ailment"?

Alternatives to "ailment" include "health problem", "medical condition", or "illness" depending on the context.

Is "ailment" appropriate for describing serious diseases?

While "ailment" can refer to any illness, it's generally used for minor or less severe conditions. For serious diseases, consider terms like "disease", "condition", or "disorder".

What's the difference between "ailment" and "disease"?

"Ailment" is a general term for a health problem, often minor, while "disease" implies a more specific and often more serious medical condition. Consider the severity of the condition when choosing between "ailment" and "disease".