malady

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "malady" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a disease or a disorder, often in a more formal or literary context. Example: "The doctor diagnosed her with a rare malady that required immediate treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our minds might pretend to be sovereign and to see our bodies as they really are, but the truth is that we are all deluded, and never more so than when in denial about this or that shape-shifting malady.

The Guardian - Arts

It goes by many names, but around here they call it "the malady of the sugar cane".

The Guardian

I have travelled to El Salvador to investigate the mystery of the malady.

The Guardian

Mr Rumsfeld, they whisper, is a classic victim of "sun-king syndrome"—a near universal malady among bosses of all sorts that leads them to overestimate their own abilities and underestimate everybody else's.The diplomatic charge is, to put it politely, hard to rebut.

The Economist

This malady affects pilots more acutely than standard jet lag, because they rarely stay in one place long enough to switch from their home time.

The Economist

The evidence presented in "Gout: The Patrician Malady" bears out the authors' claim that gout is a worthwhile subject for serious investigation, yielding all manner of social, cultural and biographical insights.

The Economist

It's not clear whether Mr Rohde or many journalists would take the same view, but Mr Danziger believes that it is, at any rate, symptomatic of an institutional malady, wherein journalists falsely believe themselves to be "above the shared obligations of citizenship".

The Economist

Many scholars trace the malady back a century when police began to take a cut from the wildly popular illegal lottery called the jogo de bicho.

The Economist

Accordingly, potential customers are expected to suffer from what the industry has come to call "range anxiety .This is no idle malady, as test-driving some of the first electric cars and prototypes reveals.

The Economist

Congo's transitional government has conspicuously failed to treat the malady that makes the country so war-prone: corruption.The country first fell apart because its rulers stole the cement.

The Economist

But the struggle was merely one symptom of a far deeper malady in modern Turkey that it will take more than Mr Ocalan's conversion to cure.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "malady" to add a touch of formality and seriousness when discussing a disease or ailment. It is especially fitting in medical, historical, or literary contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "malady" in everyday conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler words like "illness" or "sickness" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "malady" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a disease, ailment, or disorder. It is often used in contexts where a more formal or serious tone is desired. According to Ludwig, the phrase "malady" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

23%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Reference

6%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "malady" is a noun typically used to describe an ailment or disease, often in more formal or literary contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage is correct and frequent across various sources, including news media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While "malady" adds a touch of seriousness, it's best to reserve it for contexts where this formality is appropriate, opting for simpler terms like "illness" in everyday conversation. Related phrases such as "ailment", "disease", and "illness" can be used as alternatives, depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disease

This term refers to a specific pathological condition with defined symptoms and causes.

illness

This is a general term for a condition of being unwell.

ailment

This term generally refers to a minor or less serious illness.

sickness

This term indicates a state of being unwell, often with nausea or vomiting.

disorder

This term refers to a disruption of normal physical or mental functions.

affliction

This term suggests a state of suffering or distress, often physical but can be emotional.

complaint

This term refers to a physical problem or symptom reported by a patient.

condition

This is a general term for a state of health, often implying a chronic issue.

health problem

This is a broad term for any issue affecting one's health.

medical issue

This is a broad term referring to any medical concern or problem.

FAQs

How to use "malady" in a sentence?

The word "malady" typically refers to a disease or ailment. For example: "The country was struck by a mysterious "disease"." or "Corruption is a "problem" that affects many countries."

What can I say instead of "malady"?

You can use alternatives like "illness", "disease", "ailment", or "disorder" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "malady" or "illness"?

"Malady" and "illness" are both correct, but "malady" is generally more formal and less frequently used in everyday speech. "Illness" is a more common and neutral term.

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

While both refer to health conditions, "malady" is a more general term for any ailment or sickness, whereas "disease" typically refers to a specific pathological condition with identifiable symptoms.