headache
HighNeutral (used in all registers from informal to formal)
Definition
Meaning
A continuous pain in the head.
A persistent problem or source of worry or difficulty.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word functions primarily as a noun. The literal medical sense is concrete and countable ('I have a headache'). The metaphorical sense ('a headache to manage') is also countable and common, implying an annoying or troublesome situation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both BrE and AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have a headacheget a headachegive someone a headachesuffer from headachesbe a headacheVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a real headache”
- “a political headache”
- “a logistical headache”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a problematic issue, e.g., 'The new regulations are a major headache for the compliance team.'
Academic
Used in medical/psychological contexts describing a symptom, e.g., 'The study correlated screen time with frequency of tension headaches.'
Everyday
Commonly used to describe physical pain or a minor annoyance, e.g., 'I can't come out tonight; I've got a terrible headache.'
Technical
In medicine, a specific symptom classified into types like tension headache, cluster headache, or migraine.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- This project is starting to headache me.
- It headache'd the entire department.
American English
- This issue is really headaching the team.
- It headached us for weeks.
adjective
British English
- He's in a headache state.
- A headache-inducing problem.
American English
- A headache problem.
- Headache medication.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a headache.
- She took medicine for her headache.
- Looking at the screen all day gives me a headache.
- The noise is starting to cause a headache.
- Managing the budget for this event is proving to be a real headache.
- He suffers from chronic tension headaches.
- The geopolitical situation is a persistent headache for policymakers.
- The migraine presented with aura, making it a classic case of headache with neurological symptoms.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HEAD + ACHE = an ACHE in your HEAD.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROBLEMS ARE PHYSICAL AILMENTS (e.g., 'a headache of a problem').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'head pain' as a direct translation; 'headache' is the fixed, natural term.
- In Russian, one often says 'У меня болит голова' (My head hurts). In English, the more common phrasing is 'I have a headache.'
Common Mistakes
- Using uncountable form incorrectly (e.g., 'I have headache' instead of 'I have a headache').
- Confusing with 'migraine', which is a specific, severe type of headache.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most common metaphorical use of 'headache'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is countable. You must use an article or plural form: 'a headache', 'headaches'.
A migraine is a specific, often severe type of headache, usually accompanied by other symptoms like nausea or sensitivity to light/sound. 'Headache' is the general term.
Informally, yes (e.g., 'This problem is headaching me'), but it is non-standard and rare. The noun form is overwhelmingly preferred.
Stress is on the first syllable: HEAD-ache. The 'ache' part is pronounced like the word 'ache' (/eɪk/).
Collections
Part of a collection
Health and Body
A2 · 48 words · Talking about health, illness and medical care.
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