ailing

[ ey-ling ]
/ ˈeɪ lɪŋ /

adjective

sickly; unwell.
unsound or troubled: a financially ailing corporation.

Origin of ailing

First recorded in 1590–1600; ail + -ing2

Definition for ailing (2 of 2)

ail
[ eyl ]
/ eɪl /

verb (used with object)

to cause pain, uneasiness, or trouble to.

verb (used without object)

to be unwell; feel pain; be ill: He's been ailing for some time.

Origin of ail

before 950; Middle English ail, eilen, Old English eglan to afflict (cognate with Middle Low German egelen annoy, Gothic -agljan), derivative of egle painful; akin to Gothic agls shameful, Sanskrit aghám evil, pain

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH ail

ale ail awl

Example sentences from the Web for ailing

British Dictionary definitions for ailing (1 of 2)

ailing
/ (ˈeɪlɪŋ) /

adjective

unwell or unsuccessful

British Dictionary definitions for ailing (2 of 2)

ail
/ (eɪl) /

verb

(tr) to trouble; afflict
(intr) to feel unwell

Word Origin for ail

Old English eglan to trouble, from egle troublesome, painful, related to Gothic agls shameful