malady

[ mal-uh-dee ]

noun

, plural mal·a·dies.

1. any disorder or disease of the body, especially one that is chronic or deepseated.

   Synonyms: indisposition, ailment, complaint, affliction, sickness, illness

2. any undesirable or disordered condition:

   social maladies; a malady of the spirit.

malady

/ ˈmælədɪ /

noun

1. any disease or illness
2. any unhealthy, morbid, or desperate condition

   a malady of the spirit

Word History and Origins

Origin of malady¹

1200–50; Middle English maladie < Old French, equivalent to malade sick (< Late Latin male habitus literally, ill-conditioned; mal-, habit ¹ ) + -ie -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of malady¹

C13: from Old French, from Vulgar Latin male habitus (unattested) in poor condition, from Latin male badly + habitus, from habēre to have

Example Sentences

We’ll explore how these factors work to deny access to drugs that address America’s No. 1 health malady.

From Los Angeles Times

Allen apparently also was responsible for opponents contracting a unique malady.

From Los Angeles Times

In a survey of 722 working parents conducted in June and July 2023, 57% reported symptoms indicative of this modern-day malady.

From Los Angeles Times

The Trumpocene is our collective malady.

From Salon

Take the malady ailing Disney’s creative side, if it’s even a malady at all.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ache
• affliction
• ailment
• blight
• Cancer
• disability
• disorder
• epidemic
• fever
• flu
• illness
• infection
• infirmity
• inflammation
• sickness
• syndrome
• virus