First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1ail
verb \ˈāl\
: to cause pain or trouble for (someone)
: to suffer bad health
Full Definition of AIL
transitive verb
: to give physical or emotional pain, discomfort, or trouble to
intransitive verb
: to have something the matter; especially : to suffer ill health
See ail defined for English-language learners
See ail defined for kids
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Origin of AIL
Middle English eilen, from Old English eglan; akin to Gothic agljan to harm
Related to AIL
- Synonyms
- agitate, disturb, alarm (also alarum), bother, concern, derail, discomfort, discompose, dismay, disquiet, distemper, distract, distress, exercise, flurry, frazzle, freak (out), fuss, hagride, perturb, undo, unhinge, unsettle, upset, weird out, worry
- Antonyms
- calm, compose, quiet, settle, soothe, tranquilize (also tranquillize)
Other Medicine Terms
Rhymes with AIL
2ail
noun
AILING Defined for Kids
ail
verb \ˈāl\
Definition of AIL for Kids
1
: to be wrong with <What ails you?>
2
: to suffer especially with ill health <She has been ailing for years.>
Medical Dictionary
ail
transitive verb \ˈā(ə)l\
Medical Definition of AIL
: to affect with an unnamed disease or physical or emotional pain or discomfort—used only of unspecified causes <what ails the patient>
intransitive verb
: to become affected with pain or discomfort <was ailing from a cold>
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