ail: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2literary, formal, archaic
Quick answer
What does “ail” mean?
To cause physical or mental pain, trouble, or discomfort.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To cause physical or mental pain, trouble, or discomfort; to be unwell.
To afflict with persistent but often minor suffering; to be in poor condition (often used in a general or metaphorical sense).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similarly archaic/literary in both varieties. The noun 'ailment' is more frequent than the verb in both.
Connotations
Evokes a somewhat old-fashioned, gentle, or chronic form of suffering, not acute pain.
Frequency
Very low frequency verb in modern spoken language for both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “ail” in a Sentence
[Something] ails [someone/something][What] ails [you/him/her/them/it]?[To be] ailingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ail” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The mystery illness that had been ailing him for months was finally diagnosed.
- What exactly ails our public transport system?
- She's been ailing with rheumatism since the damp weather began.
American English
- Economists debated what was ailing the housing market.
- He didn't know what ailed his old car, but it wouldn't start.
- The ailing company was bought out by a larger competitor.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically: 'The ailing manufacturing sector needs investment.'
Academic
Rare. May appear in historical or literary analysis: 'The melancholy that ails the protagonist...'
Everyday
Extremely rare in casual conversation. 'Are you ailing?' sounds archaic.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts (medical, etc.). 'Ailment' is the standard medical term.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ail”
- Using 'ail' in active casual speech (e.g., 'My back ails.' - sounds unnatural).
- Confusing 'ail' (verb) with 'ailment' (noun).
- Using it for severe, acute pain instead of chronic, nagging trouble.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the verb 'ail' is rare in modern spoken English. It is considered literary or archaic. The noun 'ailment' is more common.
'Hurt' is general and common for physical or emotional pain. 'Ail' implies a persistent, often unspecified source of trouble or mild illness and is much more formal/archaic.
Yes, but only metaphorically. You can talk about an 'ailing industry', 'ailing economy', or 'ailing company' meaning one that is in trouble or performing poorly.
Not in modern conversation. It sounds old-fashioned or deliberately poetic. In everyday situations, use 'What's wrong?', 'What's the matter?', or 'Are you okay?'
To cause physical or mental pain, trouble, or discomfort.
Ail is usually literary, formal, archaic in register.
Ail: in British English it is pronounced /eɪl/, and in American English it is pronounced /eɪl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “What ails you?”
- “the ailing industry/economy”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a frail, pale person saying 'I feel **ail**' (like 'pale'). The word rhymes with 'pale' and describes a state of poor health.
Conceptual Metaphor
ILLNESS AS A BURDEN OR TROUBLE (e.g., 'What troubles/burdens you?' -> 'What ails you?').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'ail' most appropriately used in modern English?