ail

American  

[eyl] / eɪl /

verb (used with object)

1. to cause pain, uneasiness, or trouble to.

   Inside our own bodies lies the most powerful cure for what ails us—our immune systems.

   He thinks lowering taxes is the answer to all that ails our economy.

   Synonyms:

   distress, annoy, bother

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verb (used without object)

1. to be unwell; feel pain; be ill.

   He's been ailing for some time.

ail British  

/ eɪl /

verb

1. (tr) to trouble; afflict

2. (intr) to feel unwell

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Etymology

Origin of ail

before 950; Middle English ail, eilen, Old English eglan to afflict (cognate with Middle Low German egelen annoy, Gothic -agljan ), derivative of egle painful; akin to Gothic agls shameful, Sanskrit aghám evil, pain

Example Sentences

She chops old vanilla beans, mixes them with epsom salts, adds a splash of vanilla extract, and has bath salts that are wildly aromatic, calming, and good for all that might ail you.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2022

That’s on top of parts and raw material shortages that already ail regional manufacturing because of supply disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 28, 2021

Removing the manager is not the solution to all that has ailed and looks like it will ail the Angels.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 29, 2016

Gov. Jerry Brown doesn’t shy away from big solutions to the problems that ail California.

From Washington Times • Aug. 3, 2016

“We ought to check that there’s nothing odd about it. I mean, ail these funny instructions, who knows?”

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

• afflict
• bother