Meaning & use
ail
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Meanings
verbtransitiveold-fashioned
To trouble or make unwell, especially with a lingering illness or problem.
Grammar: Takes an object, often in the form what ails someone: it ails the whole town.
Patterns
- something ails someone
- what ails someone
Something is clearly ailing him, for he hasn't eaten all day.
The doctor asked what ailed the child.
A mysterious fatigue ailed her throughout the winter.
verbintransitiveformal
To be unwell or in poor condition, as a person or a business can be.
Grammar: Often used in the -ing form: the ailing economy.
Patterns
- someone is ailing
His mother has been ailing for years.
The ailing company was sold last spring.
Several workers ail from the same complaint.
Word forms
| third person singular | ails |
|---|---|
| past tense | ailed |
| past participle | ailed |
| -ing form | ailing |
Common combinations
- what ails you
- Tell me what ails you and I'll try to help.
- ailing economy
- The ailing economy needs investment.
- ailing health
- She retired because of ailing health.
- ail the patient
- Whatever ailed the patient was not serious.
- ailing business
- They tried to rescue the ailing business.
Synonyms and how they differ
- afflict
- Afflict is stronger and suggests serious suffering, whereas ail suggests a lingering trouble.
- trouble
- Trouble is a general everyday word that can mean worry as well as illness.
- bother
- Bother is lighter and implies a minor annoyance, but ail implies illness or weakness.
- plague
- Plague suggests repeated or widespread trouble, more severe than ail.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: ail or ale? ail or all?
ail vs ale
Ale is a type of beer, and it sounds like ail.
ail vs all
All is a determiner meaning everything and is a different word.
Practice
The doctor wanted to find out what ___ the old man.
Choose one answer.
Ailed is the past tense of ail. Ale, aisle and isle sound similar but are different words.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “ail”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.