headache

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'headache' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a literal, physical pain in your head or a figurative problem or struggle. For example: "I've had a headache all week, so I'm glad to be able to take the weekend off and rest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Louis Walsh has given the X Factor producers another headache by turning up late for the ITV talent show's auditions.

The Guardian

That is just as much a headache for us in Germany as it is for the British people".

The Guardian

The prime ministerial headache here would not be the last.

The Guardian

Asked whether Francis's apparent desire to go on last-minute outings might cause a headache for Vatican security, Father Thomas Rosica, the Vatican spokesman's English-speaking assistant, said: "It's the pope who is in charge and he will do what he wants to do".

The Guardian

NHS Choices says the nasal spray is safer and more effective than the injected vaccine and has only minor side-effects such as a runny nose, fever, muscle ache and headache.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But as I embark on my third year at university, I can say that landlords have been the biggest headache of my academic career.

The Guardian

But that is why this latest scandal is such a major headache.

The Guardian - Business

This may not matter since any side-effects light boxes cause (headache, nausea, blurred vision) are mild and can be reversed by moving away from the light.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Conversely, Fianna Fáil has been given a further headache on top of Lee's intervention over the attitude of their coalition partners, the Irish Green party.

The Guardian

The blow behind his ear left Thomson requiring five stitches – some reports say he almost lost his ear completely in the incident – and with a splitting headache for the rest of the match.

The Guardian - Sport

Symptoms of influenza include fever, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and cough and complications include pneumonia and ear infections.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing medical symptoms, specify the type of "headache" (e.g., tension, migraine or cluster) for greater precision in technical writing.

Common error

Avoid using "migraine" and "headache" interchangeably in medical or scientific writing. A "headache" is a general symptom of pain, whereas a migraine is a specific neurological condition often accompanied by nausea and light sensitivity.

Linguistic Context

As analyzed by Ludwig, "headache" primarily functions as a count noun. It can denote a localized physical pain or serve as a metonym for a complex, frustrating situation that requires significant mental effort to resolve.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Ludwig AI confirms that "headache" is a highly versatile noun used to describe both physical pain and figurative nuisances. In media and business writing, it frequently appears as a metaphor for logistical complications, such as 'security headaches' or 'financial headaches'. Ludwig examples demonstrate its robustness across various domains, from lifestyle health advice to complex geopolitical analysis. It is universally accepted as a standard and correct term in all levels of writing formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

migraine

Refers to a specific, more severe neurological condition rather than a general pain

nuisance

Swaps the medical metaphor for a direct description of an annoyance

pain in the neck

Uses a different anatomical idiom to convey figurative frustration

complication

Provides a more formal and professional tone in business contexts

bother

Softens the intensity of the problem, making it sound more minor

nightmare

Greatly intensifies the figurative difficulty of the situation

cephalalgia

The technical medical term used in clinical or scientific documentation

hindrance

Focuses on the fact that the problem is stopping progress

setback

Refers to an event that causes a delay rather than an ongoing problem

struggle

Emphasizes the effort required to deal with the issue

FAQs

How to use "headache" in a sentence?

You can use "headache" to describe a physical symptom like "I have a splitting "headache"" or a problem like "Finding a new apartment has been a major "headache"".

What can I say instead of "headache" when referring to a problem?

You can use alternatives like "nuisance", "bother" or "pain in the neck" depending on the level of formality.

What's the difference between "headache" and migraine?

A "headache" is any pain in the head, while a "migraine" is a recurring, severe type of headache often with other symptoms like nausea.

Is it correct to say "a major headache"?

Yes, it is common and correct. This phrase is almost always used figuratively to describe a significant problem or source of stress.