rheumatism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, slightly dated, but still common in everyday speech, especially among older speakers.
Quick answer
What does “rheumatism” mean?
A general, non-specific medical term for pain, stiffness, and swelling in the muscles, joints, and surrounding tissues.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A general, non-specific medical term for pain, stiffness, and swelling in the muscles, joints, and surrounding tissues.
Historically used as an umbrella term for various conditions causing pain in the joints and connective tissues. In modern clinical contexts, it's often replaced by more specific diagnoses like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, but remains in general use to describe such aches and pains.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar, but the term may be slightly more common in British English. The informal British phrase 'my rheumatics is playing up' has no direct American equivalent.
Connotations
Both varieties retain the connotation of an ailment of the elderly. In both, it can sound old-fashioned but is widely understood.
Frequency
Low-to-medium frequency in both. Its use is declining in professional medical contexts in favour of specific terms.
Grammar
How to Use “rheumatism” in a Sentence
[Patient] suffers from rheumatism.[Body part] is stiff with rheumatism.The cold weather aggravates [Patient]'s rheumatism.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “rheumatism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not standard; the related verb is 'to rheumatize', now archaic.)
American English
- (Not standard; the related verb is 'to rheumatize', now archaic.)
adverb
British English
- rheumatically (archaic/rare)
American English
- rheumatically (archaic/rare)
adjective
British English
- rheumatic (a rheumatic condition, rheumatic pains)
American English
- rheumatic (a rheumatic condition, rheumatic pains)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used historically or in lay descriptions; in modern medicine, specific diagnostic terms are preferred.
Everyday
Common, especially among older generations discussing health. 'My gran has terrible rheumatism in her hands.'
Technical
Largely obsolete as a clinical diagnosis. Found in historical texts or as a lay term within patient-reported symptoms.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “rheumatism”
- Incorrect: 'I have a rheumatism.' Correct: 'I have rheumatism.' (uncountable) | Incorrect: 'rheumatism arthritis'. Correct: 'rheumatoid arthritis' (specific) or just 'rheumatism' (general).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Rheumatism' is a broad, old-fashioned term for pain in joints and muscles. 'Arthritis' specifically means inflammation of the joints. Rheumatism can include arthritis, but also other conditions like fibromyalgia.
Rarely as a formal diagnosis. Modern doctors use specific terms like 'osteoarthritis', 'rheumatoid arthritis', or 'gout'. However, they may hear and understand the word when patients use it to describe their symptoms.
Degenerative joint conditions (like osteoarthritis) are more common with age, and these were historically called rheumatism. The link to weather is anecdotal and common in folk medicine, though some studies suggest changes in atmospheric pressure can affect joint fluid and pain perception.
A doctor who specialises in diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones, including arthritis and autoimmune conditions. The name comes from the root 'rheuma-', but their field is modern, precise medicine, not just vague 'rheumatism'.
A general, non-specific medical term for pain, stiffness, and swelling in the muscles, joints, and surrounding tissues.
Rheumatism is usually formal, slightly dated, but still common in everyday speech, especially among older speakers. in register.
Rheumatism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈruː.mə.tɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈruː.mə.tɪ.zəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “His rheumatism is playing up (UK).”
- “She's full of rheumatics (old-fashioned/informal).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'RUins MOVEMENT' for 'rheumatism'. It's a condition that can ruin your ease of movement.
Conceptual Metaphor
PAIN IS A LIVING ENTITY (It 'plays up', 'flares up', 'grips' someone).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most specific and modern medical term, often replacing the vague diagnosis of 'rheumatism'?