affliction
C1Formal/Literary
Definition
Meaning
A state of pain, suffering, or distress; something that causes such a state.
A condition of serious illness, misfortune, or adversity, often one that is prolonged or burdensome; can also refer to the cause of such suffering.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a condition imposed upon someone, carrying a sense of endurance or being burdened. More abstract and weightier than 'problem' or 'illness'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Usage is equally formal in both varieties.
Connotations
Both carry strong connotations of suffering and adversity, often with a literary or biblical resonance.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English due to its presence in traditional liturgy and literature, but the difference is marginal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
suffer from an afflictionaffliction of [disease/misfortune]affliction on/upon [person/place]bear the afflictionVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Job's affliction (biblical reference to extreme suffering)”
- “bear one's affliction with patience”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically for a persistent, damaging problem (e.g., 'The inflation was an affliction on the economy').
Academic
Used in historical, medical, literary, and religious studies contexts to describe conditions of suffering.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual speech. Used for serious, long-term suffering or illness.
Technical
Used in some medical or theological writing, but 'condition', 'syndrome', or 'disorder' are more precise in clinical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The drought afflicted the farmers for years.
- He was afflicted by a rare neurological condition.
American English
- The scandal afflicted the entire administration.
- Many soldiers were afflicted with PTSD.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; 'afflictively' is extremely rare and not recommended.)
American English
- (Not standard; 'afflictively' is extremely rare and not recommended.)
adjective
British English
- She spoke in an afflicted tone.
- The afflicted regions received emergency aid.
American English
- He looked at her with afflicted eyes.
- Funds were raised for the afflicted families.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Too advanced for A2. Use simpler words like 'problem' or 'illness'.)
- His back pain was a constant affliction.
- War brings great affliction to people.
- She bore her affliction with remarkable courage.
- Poverty remains a major affliction in many parts of the world.
- The novel explores the spiritual affliction of its protagonist.
- The doctor specialized in treating chronic afflictions of the elderly.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A FLICK of pain that becomes a long-term CONDITION' => AFFLICTION. It's more than a flick; it's a lasting state of suffering.
Conceptual Metaphor
AFFLICTION IS A BURDEN (to bear/carry), AFFLICTION IS AN ATTACKER/A FORCE (that afflicts/strikes).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'аффикция' (non-existent). Use 'страдание', 'бедствие', 'несчастье', 'недуг'.
- Do not confuse with 'infliction' (which focuses on the act of causing). 'Affliction' is the state/result.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing spelling with 'afflication' (missing second 'f').
- Using it for minor, temporary problems (e.g., 'My headache is a real affliction' is overly dramatic).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'affliction' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it often describes diseases or disabilities, it can refer to any cause of prolonged suffering, such as grief, poverty, or misfortune.
'Affliction' is the state of suffering itself or its cause. 'Infliction' is the act of causing harm or imposing something unpleasant (e.g., 'the infliction of pain').
No. It carries an inherently serious, negative, and formal tone. Using it for trivial matters sounds ironic or overly dramatic.
The verb is 'to afflict' (e.g., 'A disease afflicted the population'). The adjective is 'afflicted' (e.g., 'the afflicted patient').